Information Architecture

What is information architecture?

Information architecture, as the name suggests, is the science of organising and presenting information and content on websites and apps in a way that not only makes the most sense for the user but also helps them get to where they want to go and do what they want to do.

If you want a more in-depth understanding of this topic, check out the FAQ section below:

Question #1: Why is information architecture important?

Information architecture is important because it helps users understand four simple things that ultimately dictate whether or not they will stay on your website or app:

1. Where they are
2. What they have found
3. What is around
4. What they can expect

Keep in mind that if your website or app leaves your users feeling lost and frustrated, there is a big chance that they will move on to something else—unless it is absolutely impossible to find the content, products, services, and experiences you provide somewhere else, which is highly unlikely.

At the end of the day, the goal of information architecture is to make it as easy and intuitive as possible for your users to accomplish what they set out to do using your website or app.

Question #2: What are the main components of information architecture?

The main components of information architecture are:

1. Organisation structures and schemes
2. Navigation systems
3. Labelling systems
4. Search systems

Let us go over each one in more detail:

First, organisation structures and schemes refer to the way in which you structure and categorise content and information on your website or app.

Second, navigation systems, as the name suggests, refer to the way in which your users browse information or move from one piece of content to another on your website or app.

Third, labelling systems, as you may have already guessed, refer to the way in which you represent information on your website or app.

Finally, search systems are just that: the means by which users can look for content or information on your website or app.

In addition to these four components, however, you also need to take note of what is called information ecology, which consists of:

1. Context
2. Content
3. Users

Let us take a closer look at each one:

It consists of things such as business goals, budgets and funding, culture, resources, technology, politics, and constraints.

Content, on the other hand, refers to things such as data and document types, structures, volume, content objectives, and governance and ownership

Finally, users, as you may have already guessed, refer to the people who will use your website or app and their needs, tasks, experience, and information-seeking behaviour. 

Check this article from UX Planet for more information on information architecture.

Question #3: What is the difference between information architecture and user experience (UX) design?

The main difference between information architecture and user experience (UX) design is their goal. The former is concerned with helping the user accomplish their goals as easily and quickly as possible. The latter, on the other hand, is more focused on making the accomplishment of these goals as pleasant as possible.

As we have seen earlier, information architecture revolves mostly around structuring information and content on a website or app in a way that not only makes the most sense to the user but also helps them get to where they want to go and do what they want to do. UX design enhances the overall experience by choosing the right fonts, colours, graphic elements, layouts, buttons, element sizes, and language.

In a way, a good information architecture serves as the backbone of good UX design. Without it, there would be nothing for UX designers to base their work on.

Question #4: What are the different types of information architecture content structures?

There are three main types of information architecture content structures:

1. Hierarchical
2. Sequential
3. Matrix

Let us take a closer look at each one:

The hierarchical content structure, as the name suggests, structures content in a way that makes it easy for the user to determine the level of importance of each piece of content. It typically utilises differences in size, colour, and alignment to accomplish this.

The sequential content structure, as the name suggests, presents content and information in a step-by-step manner. A great example of this would be an online store where the user has to go through several steps to complete a purchase.

Finally, the matrix content structure organises content in one of four ways:

1. Alphabetical
2. By user type and/or credentials
3. Chronological
4. By topic/genre