When you get started building a website, one of the questions you ask yourself is about a website structure. It is an excellent place to begin in website design, and from here, you can add your content and custom design. The website structure allows you to start with a framework and then use different elements, features, and widgets to make the website unique.
Design is an essential aspect of any website that makes it more appealing to visitors and helps to increase conversions. With the use of a website builder, designing a website is now an accessible activity that anyone can get involved in.
In addition to website structure types, there are various website types that can be used in website design to create the most suitable look and feel for your project. You need to think about the type of website if you want to create a well-organized and effective site.
Why do you need a website structure?
Website structuring is an essential aspect of making your website easily navigable and user-friendly. Without a clear and organized structure, your website can become a mass of data that is difficult to work through for visitors. This was frequently the case in the early days of the internet. But design capabilities have improved, and now usability and user experience are more important for increasing the number of visitors to a website.
Website structure types
When structuring a website, designers take different approaches to the task, such as:
Top-down approach
This is a way of looking at your content with a downward progression, cataloging it into general categories, and then breaking it up into subcategories.
Bottom-up approach
This approach focuses more on the data that is available and groups the elements into categories of the lowest level, then collects these categories into higher-level ones, and so on.
If you’re wondering how to structure a website, there are different models you can choose from. Four of the most common website structures include the following:
Hierarchical website structure
This is a very common type of website structure followed by many popular informational websites, such as BBC. This structure begins with a parent page, i.e., the homepage, which leads to child pages, that in turn have their own child pages. It is a way of organizing content that goes from the general down to the more specific.
Sequential website structure
Rather than going in a downward direction, some websites choose to guide visitors from left to right, taking them on a narrative or progressive flow. This can be especially useful for onboarding or other educational needs where visitors need to be given a linear flow to mark their progression. This website structure is also used for some instructive websites, like WikiHow, that aims to take visitors through a process.
Database website structure
The database model is a bottom-up approach that begins with the database and integrates this with the search function. Instead of considering what you intend to have on your website and sourcing your content under a title, the database website structure looks at the data that is available and builds the website around this. This kind of website structure prioritizes search and user experience, and it can be seen in websites like Medium.
Matrix website structure
The matrix structure was originally considered a non-traditional model, but now it is rather old-fashioned and not as common as it once was. Instead of using a top to bottom flow that sends users in a specific direction, the matric model is aimed at allowing visitors to go where they want to go. This is achieved using search forms or internal links under certain topic groups that focus on the likely next stage or process. This puts a greater emphasis on navigation, but not in a hierarchical structure. Wikipedia is an example of a website that uses the matrix website structure.
For those who are new to website design, deciding on a website structure is an important part of organizing content and making their website’s design user-friendly. Website models and structures give a clear plan of the way your visitors will use your website, and this will affect their first impression. To create the best user experience, you should choose the website structure that is best suited to your content and intended navigation.
