Information Architecture

Make the most important content prominent and easily found

Your most important content, based on to your target audience's goals, should be easily found, though that doesn't necessarily mean it has to be in the global navigation menu.

Labeling and site structure

Pages should be named and arranged so that it's obvious and intuitive where to click to find any piece of information.

Label your pages, categories, and links using terms that your target audience will be familiar with.

Avoid using technical jargon, internal terms, or terms unique to KU.

Doing a card sort test can be very helpful, followed up with a quick usability study. Often, just observing people will teach you volumes!

Hiding content

Avoid hiding important or frequently accessed content in tabs or accordions if the content is important or needed for comparison.

Academic Unit Site Structure

The recommended site structure for academic unit sites:

Academic Sitemap

Home

Concisely explain what your program does
Create a good first impression of your program
Get people where they want to go as quickly and easily
- Degrees / Programs
- Cost/Financial Aid
- Dates and deadlines
- How to Apply
- Research Opportunities
Provide answers to your target audience's top questions
- Do you have my program/degree?
- Can I get in?
- What is the cost?
- Can I get a good job?
- Will I fit in?
Illustrate your excellence and why you stand out

About

Create sub-pages within the About section.

News
Events
Contact

Academics

Degrees: a list of all degrees, minors, certificates, etc. that your unit offers. Along with in a set of sub-pages to make it very easy for current and prospective students to find all information relevant to their degree or major.
Courses: list of courses, course descriptions and class times pulled in from the Academic Catalog
Advising: describe your unit's advising process and how to schedule an appointment
Non-majors: a page to present any information that non-majors might need
Policies: listing of your unit's academic policies, or links to policies in the KU Policy Library

Admission

Describe your unit’s admission requirements
Link out to the appropriate KU admissions site
Link out to cost and financial aid sites

Research

Highlight any research efforts
Provide brief descriptions and links to any applicable centers or institutes

People

Add person profiles for administrators, faculty, staff

Alumni & Friends

Use this sub-section as needed
Content might include Alumni success stories, Newsletters, Giving, Donor list, Reunions, Keep in touch

Resources

The Research section could be used to provide links to commonly used forms, documents, policies, or pages
The section might also be used to provide information on any free or for-pay services or clinics you offer to the public or the KU community

Non-Academic Unit Site Structure

Navigation for non-academic unit sites is more flexible than for academic unit sites because the purpose varies. The following four sections are encouraged. Additional sections can be added but keep in mind that section names must fit in the top menu bar on computer and tablet devices.

Non-academic sitemap