web design - site structure

Good web design requires a solid site architecture based on the site's goals and target audience established in a project brief. The deliverables from this phase most often are:

1. Content Outline
2. Site Diagram
3. Wireframes

These three deliverables are dependent on each other and need to be completed sequentially.

Content Outline

Working closely with your clients, create a list of all existing content. Brainstorm content that needs to be created for the site. Review the list of content, trimming anything that does not match the goals or audience needs as stated in the project brief. Try to plan for the future and how the site content might need to grow as this will inevitably happen. Next, group your content into categories. As you categorise your content, considering getting user feedback through a card sort. Once your categories are established, create an outline of your content and review it with your target audience for accuracy.

Site Diagram

Take your final content outline and create a sitemap or site diagram. A site diagram is a visual representation of your content outline and site structure. You can use Excel, Visio or Smartdraw to create your site diagram.

Wireframes
A wireframe is a non-graphical layout of a web page. It is a simple drawing of the blocks of information and functionality for each page in your site. You will want to create a wireframe for the home page, each unique second level page and any other significantly different page on the site.

Wireframes include the containers for all the major elements of the page. Elements include navigation, images, content, functional elements (like search) and footer.

Contact Carnival Media Group to design your website today!