When laying out your information architecture, there are two ways to do it: flat or deep. A flat layout has more categories up front, which means it can be more confusing to users at  first glance, but it gives them more access to information immediately. A deep layout means things look more sleek initially, but it can be harder to access information. Choose wisely. The layout of your information can dictate the entire user experience of your website.

Sitelinks are the subcategories a search engine pulls up from your website. Having clear site navigation with the most relevant categories makes searching for your website easier and can drive more targeted traffic.

When dictating information architecture, it’s important to consider the paradox of choice. If you use too many categories, you make your site harder to navigate and less enjoyable. If you give users too few categories, it makes information harder to find. Strike a balance and provide meaningful choices of categories with logically laid out (and clearly marked) subcategories.

 “Great content strategists will provide a menu of main categories, and each main category will contain related sub-categories and posts.”-Forbes

By integrating menus, a search function, and a way to browse, you provide users different ways to access the content on your website. By giving multiple options, you are providing  a wider variety of users the tools they need to utilize your website in their own way on their own terms.

How do you know if you have optimized your information architecture? Review your analytics. Analytics can tell you if your content structure and hierarchy are effective, encouraging continued viewing, and creating conversions. If it’s not doing all of those things, analytics can demonstrate where your website needs to be adjusted.