BSA Website Redevelopment Information Architecture

Knowing your audiences Who are your target audiences? What are their needs and wants? How do they use the Web? What are their concerns or difficulties?

Knowing your audiences users are becoming more Web savvy and their expectations are rising accordingly – video, audio, animation… users vary in their comfort level using the Web – from fearful to fearless

Knowing your audiences never underestimate how impatient users are users differ in their reasons for visiting websites users differ in the frequency of their Web browsing and when they do it

Knowing your audiences Users differ in the way they perceive and process information users have different computer setups assume users want to spend as little time as possible on your website

Rule 1 Keep the design simple and uncluttered. Making it easy for users Ten website usability principles to embrace 44% clutter 54% clutter 33% clutter

Rule 2 Use headings and words your target audience will understand. don’t make them have to think Making it easy for users Ten website usability principles to embrace

Rule 3 Make text legible and easy on the eye. Making it easy for users Ten website usability principles to embrace

Rule 4 Ensure users can find information fast. Make navigation: intuitive obvious persistent consistent Where’s the other black 3? Making it easy for users Ten website usability principles to embrace

Rule 5 Make sure important features are easy to see and use. Making it easy for users Ten website usability principles to embrace 63% clutter

Rule 6 Always let users know where they are in the site. Making it easy for users Ten website usability principles to embrace

Rule 7 Make sure interactive features are easy to use. Making it easy for users Ten website usability principles to embrace

Rule 8 Make your site accessible to everyone. Making it easy for users Ten website usability principles to embrace Use the clearest and simplest language appropriate for the content. Strive for clear and accurate headings and link descriptions. Review every heading, outline and menu to see if the crucial words mean exactly what is intended. Use more common words if they would convey the same meaning.

Rule 9 Be consistent. navigation design hierarchy Making it easy for users Ten website usability principles to embrace

Rule 10 If nothing else, in everything you do online, put yourself in the shoes of the user. Making it easy for users Ten website usability principles to embrace

Rule 11 ?? You can break any of the rules if you are sure you understand the rule and you have a good reason for breaking it. Making it easy for users Ten website usability principles to embrace

Organising the contents Information Architecture How information is divided into categories and sections. Users’ Needs 1.Personal characteristics of the users – gender, experience with the Web, language 2.Connection speed and location 3.Their expectations re your organisation 4.Their patterns of visitation – daily >> yearly Conventions & Rules Internal: 1.Organisational branding guidelines 2.The organisation’s IT architecture and info management systems 3.How the contents to be updated. 4.How easy it is to change the IA External: 1.National and international standards and best practice. 2.Requirements to comply with industry or govt standards 3.Trends & conventions in IA Business Needs 1.The aim of the website – 2.how it complements the organisation’s business plan 3.The business/sector the organisation is in 4.The key performance indicators for the website 5.How it is meant to integrate / complement the marketing plan 6.How it is to assist with customer relationship management Content Characteristics 1.Nature of the content – text, video 2.Scope and depth of content 3.How dynamic the information is 4.Instructional intention – general awareness >> expert training 5.Style, tone and personality of the contents and website Copyright 2005, United Focus Pty Ltd

Sample sites

Organising the contents Information Architecture How information is divided into categories and sections. Users’ Needs 1.Personal characteristics of the users – gender, experience with the Web, language 2.Connection speed and location 3.Their expectations re your organisation 4.Their patterns of visitation – daily >> yearly Conventions & Rules Internal: 1.Organisational branding guidelines 2.The organisation’s IT architecture and info management systems 3.How the contents to be updated. 4.How easy it is to change the IA External: 1.National and international standards and best practice. 2.Requirements to comply with industry or govt standards 3.Trends & conventions in IA Business Needs 1.The aim of the website – 2.how it complements the organisation’s business plan 3.The business/sector the organisation is in 4.The key performance indicators for the website 5.How it is meant to integrate / complement the marketing plan 6.How it is to assist with customer relationship management Content Characteristics 1.Nature of the content – text, video 2.Scope and depth of content 3.How dynamic the information is 4.Instructional intention – general awareness >> expert training 5.Style, tone and personality of the contents and website Copyright 2005, United Focus Pty Ltd