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:
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.
Home
- Concisely explain what your site is
- Create a good first impression
- Get people where they want to go as quickly and easily
- Provide answers to your target audience's top questions
- Illustrate your excellence and why you stand out
About
Create sub-pages within the About section.
- News
- Events
- Mission
- History
- Contact
People
- Add person profiles for administrators, staff
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