Information Architecture That Makes Content Findable

When users cannot find what they need, they leave. NNGroup found that users read only 28% of words on any page -- which means they rely on navigation structure, not reading, to find content. We design information architectures that organize your content the way your users think about it.

28%

of words on a page are actually read -- users rely on navigation labels and content structure to find information, not reading

NNGroup, 2008

Information Architecture

Content organization systems including site maps, navigation hierarchies, taxonomy structures, and labeling conventions that ensure users can find what they need intuitively.

What's Included

Everything you get with our Information Architecture

Site Map & Page Hierarchy

Complete content hierarchy defining every page, its relationships, and its position in the navigation structure, validated through user research methods

Navigation System Design

Primary, secondary, and utility navigation structures with labeling conventions tested against user mental models through card sorting and tree testing

Taxonomy & Labeling System

Content categorization framework with labels, tags, and filtering systems that match how users search for and browse your content

Our Information Architecture Process

1

Content Audit & User Research

We audit your existing content, analyze site analytics for navigation patterns and search queries, and conduct card sorting exercises with representative users to understand their mental models for your content.

2

IA Design & Tree Testing

We design the content hierarchy and navigation labels based on user research findings. Tree testing validates that users can find key content through the proposed structure before any visual design or development begins.

3

Navigation & Taxonomy Design

We design the complete navigation system: primary navigation, secondary navigation, breadcrumbs, footer links, and any faceted navigation or filtering systems. Labels are refined based on tree testing results to maximize findability.

4

Documentation & Implementation Support

We deliver comprehensive IA documentation including site maps, navigation specifications, and content migration guides. We support your team during implementation to ensure the IA is correctly translated into the live site structure.

Key Benefits

Users Find Content on the First Try

When navigation mirrors user mental models, visitors navigate to the right content intuitively. They do not need to guess which menu contains what they need or use search as a workaround for bad navigation. This reduces friction at every interaction and improves the experience for every visitor.

Reduced Bounce Rates and Improved Engagement

Poor IA causes visitors to bounce when they cannot quickly find relevant content. Good IA routes visitors to the content that matches their intent, which reduces bounce rates, increases pages per session, and improves the conversion metrics that depend on visitors engaging with the right content.

Scalable Structure for Growing Content

A well-designed IA anticipates growth. New content categories, product lines, and feature pages fit naturally into the existing structure without requiring navigation redesigns. This scalability reduces the ongoing cost of content management and prevents the structural debt that accumulates when content is added ad hoc.

Research & Evidence

Backed by industry research and proven results

Content Reading Study

Users read only 28% of words on a page

NNGroup (2008)

UX ROI Study

Every $1 invested in UX returns $100 in value

Forrester Research (2016)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is card sorting?

Card sorting is a research method where users organize your content into groups that make sense to them. This reveals how your audience mentally categorizes your content -- which often differs from how your team organizes it internally. The results directly inform navigation categories and labels.

What is tree testing?

Tree testing validates a proposed navigation structure by asking users to find specific content using only the navigation labels (no visual design). It reveals whether users can navigate your proposed hierarchy successfully and identifies labels or categories that confuse them.

How do you handle IA for large sites with thousands of pages?

Large sites need multiple navigation mechanisms working together: primary navigation for top-level categories, faceted search for large content collections, breadcrumbs for orientation, and contextual links for related content. We design each mechanism for its specific purpose and test the integrated system with users.

Should we organize navigation around our products or user needs?

Almost always around user needs. Users come to your site with problems to solve, not with knowledge of your product structure. A navigation organized around user tasks and goals outperforms product-oriented navigation in every study we have conducted. Product names can appear as labels when they match the language users use.

Make Every Piece of Content Findable

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