Website structure...some examples

Ideally, the structure of every website would be the same. Each website would contain several main sections and each main section would contain several sub sections. However, in working websites, this is rarely the case. As you attempt to structure your website, you will find that some main sections have many sub sections, other main sections will have no sub sections. Also, you may find that one sub section applies equally well to many main sections (for instance, the sub section called "shipping info" may pertain to the main section of "Furniture" and the main section of "Appliances" in a website for a department store). Unevenly distributed or shared sub sections may create difficulties when constructing a clear website structure. When these difficulties arise, remember that very few internet users will critique your actual web structure. It is more important that clients can easily find the information that they need than it is for your site map to be perfectly constructed.

A working example of a website structure (XP website)

Home page

• Websites
  • Portfolio of web design
  • Website packages ( 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 )
  • Price list
• Promotions ( Search engine optimization )
• 3D images
  • Portfolio of 3D images
• Security
  • RSS of security blog
• Education
  • Web design RSS
  • Security RSS
  • Technology RSS
  • Flickr group help tutorial
  • Tempates ( 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 )
• About XP Mallorca
  • News
• Projects
• Videos
• Images
• Tutorials
  • Flickr group help tutorial
• Links
  • Alcudia links
  • Mallorca links
  • Spain links
  • Technology links
  • Graphics links
  • Design links
  • Tutorials links
  • Other links
• Portfolio
  • Web design RSS
  • Portfolio of 3d images
• Contact
• XP Mallorca Blog

As you may have noticed, this website structure does not conform to the classic tree structure mentioned in the previous blog. Some sub section pages apply to various main sections (for instance, "Flickr group help tutorial" is offered in the "Education" section and the "Tutorials" section). Some main sections have many sub section pages (example: "Links") while other main sections have no sub section pages (example: "Projects"). However, the website structure is still clear and easy to navigate. A client searching for "Portfolio of 3d images" will be easily able to find that portfolio by visiting the main section of "3d images" or the main section of "Portfolio".

Ease of navigation is the primary importance of your website structure. When designing your website structure think about how your clients would search your site and the simplest way to present the information to your potential customers.

Next: Graphic design and your website