Planning, Developing, and Promoting Successful Small Business Websites

Table of Contents

Information architecture is essentially the organization of a site. This is the logical next step in the process of creating a website after brain-storming and planning the content. The content must be organized in a way that is easy to learn and understand from a user’s perspective. When most people peruse a website they are in a hurry, and will not take the time to learn a complex layout. They will simply find a new site that provides easier use. The organization and layout of the site will determine how users find information on your site, and what they will perceive as most important. In order to convey the correct message, the information architecture must be planned before a site ever reaches the development phase.

A flow chart provides visual representation of information architecture to assist in the development process (See appendix 1-5). A prime example of an information architecture flow chart is Brett Tabke’s “Search Engine Theme Pyramid”. This example was created to show how a site is divided into themes. In addition to demonstrating “themes” from a search engine perspective, it also shows developers how a site can be divided to provide the easiest navigation for a user.

Appendices
(All in a single document) Appendix 1-1: Overture Search Term
Research Tool

Appendix 1-2: Wordtracker Search Query Research Tool

Appendix 1-3: Google Sets Website Theme Research Tool

Appendix 1-4: Reach/ Acquire/ Convert/ Retain

Chart Appendix 2-5: Zehnder’s of Frankenmuth Information Architecture Flowchart

Appendix 2-6: Search Engine Themes Pyramid Information Architecture Example

Appendix 2-7: Webpage Download Time by File Size Chart

Appendix 2-8: Expected Locations for Common E-commerce Elements

Appendix 2-9: Website Usability Checklist

Appendix 2-10: Text Vs.Code Ratio/ Content Near the Top of Souce Code Examples

Appendix 3-11: Overture Bid Price Tool

Appendix 3-12: Webalizer Website Visitor Tracking Tool

Appendix 3-13: AW STATS Website Visitor Tracking Tool Appendix

3-14: Clicktracks Website Statistics
Analysis Tool

References
Author Notes

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Planning, Developing, and Promoting Successful Small Business Websites Table of Contents

Planning, Developing, and Promoting a Successful Small Business Website

Organization of Small Business Websites Page 12

Information Architecture

Planning, Developing, and Promoting Successful Small Business Websites

Table of Contents

Organization of Small Business Websites
Page 12