SEO-Boosting Website Structures
There are plenty of benefits to logical website structure, though it takes careful thought and lots of time to decide how to structure a page. There are different types of website structures that companies can use to organize the information on their pages. One of the top reasons why many visitors decide to abandon a website after they open it is due to poor page structure. The issue may be either the content or the non-responsive design of a site. Many companies understand that they need to have websites that make a fast and positive impression on visitors. Otherwise, consumers are going to go somewhere different.
Reasons Why Website Structure is Important
A well-planned and logical website structure contributes to a positive user experience because websites that are easy to navigate for visitors decrease consumer frustrations and create a seamless experience for them. Another reason why website structure is important is due to Search Engine Optimization (SEO). Having a well-structured website means it’s easy for search engines to crawl and map it properly. The content will in this case be indexed more easily, which improves SEO efforts.
Hierarchical Website Structure
A tree structure, also known as a hierarchical website structure, is the most popular type of website layout. This structure moves from home pages with more general information into smaller pages of more detailed information. It’s most commonly used on eCommerce websites with high-level product categories that flow into smaller categories, and finally, into individual product pages. This type of website structure is great for companies that have to share a large amount of data with consumers. They can start by first establishing informational pages and categories that are going to be important to consumers, as well as any pages that receive a lot of traffic. Then, the rest of the pages can be ordered according to how they fit inside the bigger categories.
Sequential Website Structure
Linear or sequential website structure follows the simple, page-to-page structure, and is common for simpler websites. This website structure is also beneficial for creating landing page campaigns. Many small businesses and startups tend to use a sequential website structure since they usually only have a few essential pages they need to display to consumers. The best way to use this type of website structure is to display any content that needs to be shown to visitors in a specific order, like in the style of a sales funnel. That way, consumers will pass through all the steps they need to to make a purchase, which ensures a straightforward process.
Matrix Website Structure
One of the oldest types of website structures is a matrix, which is non-traditional and complex, making it the best for navigating many internal links. The best example of a matrix website is Wikipedia, which presents a large amount of information to users in a word cloud-like form. Whenever a site has a narrow focus or very broad topics that can be overwhelming to consumers, it’s best to use this type of structure.
Database Website Structure
This is one of the most complex types of website structures and uses a bottom-up approach. This structure requires extra attention to metadata and tagging on each page so that users can easily access the searchable database. Database websites can be personalized to meet the needs of companies, and don’t have to be complete from the start. They can be built up over time, and all of the previous files can become a part of their own set of data under a larger structure.
