Information architecture analysis
The most essential design component supporting users’ attempts at finding content easily on the web is the structuring, organising and labelling of information, or the Information Architecture (IA). The IA comprises the structure of the information and also the components for searching and browsing that information such as headings, labels and the search engine logic.
Effective navigation and searching are dependent on a well-structured IA. For multi-layered web sites such as those in finance, e-commerce and the public sector, it is essential that the IA is planned with user input and tested to ensure that the intended audience quickly and easily finds the content they are looking for.
Information architecture: The benefits
Optimising the information structure and terminology brings many benefits to the users and the organisations concerned. Overall, these benefits are very similar to the benefits of improved usability, and include:
- reduced search times and greater task success
- less effort to find the required information or services
- improved productivity for internal staff using intranets
- reduced frustration and increased satisfaction
- increased customer retention
A well planned IA is also more predictable, and helps your users quickly understand the structure of the web site or application. More importantly, the benefits of an optimised IA are apparent irrespective of the technology platform.
Information architecture services
User Vision can provide a range of tailored services to help you improve the information architecture of your web site, software or other product. These services include analytical techniques such as card sorting and classification testing exercises with representative end users to understand their perspective on the information structure.
As the site develops, we can provide controlled vocabularies, wire frames, interaction blueprints and style guides to ensure consistent labelling, design, and highly effective navigation and search systems.
In all our projects, we work very closely with our clients to understand their business or organisational needs and provide the most targeted solution. Moreover, all the methods used are based on industry best practice and have been highly refined through our extensive experience to provide our clients with the most effective IA.
What to do next
To find out how our information architecture services can benefit your organisation and to receive a no obligation quotation then please contact us.