Website Structure
Page Updated on
November 24, 2007
Content Created/Updated on April 6, 2007
When creating a website, whether you are hiring somebody to do it for you or doing it yourself, the first thing you need to think about is the structure of your site. The easiest way to figure it out is just to draw a diagram or make an outline. Get out your pencil and paper.
What Is Website Structure?
Website structure is not to be confused with web page structure. A website is the entire site, every page, and every process that goes on in the background, coming together to create an online presentation. A small website may have a simple structure (one home page with two child pages) while a large website may have a structure so complex you need a tour guide.
An Example of a Small Website Structure
Must Have Pages
Home Page
The home page is the main page for your entire site. It tells your visitors what your site is about and sets the mood for your site (e.g. technical, artsy, emotionally supportive, etc.).
About Us
This is a page about you, your website, and your organization.
Contact Us
Let your visitors contact you. Your contact page could be a simple as listing your address, phone number, and email address, or it could involve a complex set of forms.
User Agreement / Privacy Policy
This is where you would place any legal information, disclaimers, and privacy information. These are the terms your visitors agree to by visiting your site. You can create a separate privacy policy if you wish or just add it to your user agreement. Even if you add it to your user agreement, you should always indicate in your navigation that the user agreement includes a privacy policy since some visitors will actively look for the words privacy policy when trying to learn how you will use their information.
Site Map / Table of Contents
The site map is usually an outline of the entire website, allowing visitors to get to the exact page that they need without having to click on multiple links to find that page. It also allows search engines to know what links on your website, which is especially important for sites with lots of deep linking.
Content Pages
Some businesses and organizations think that it's enough to just have a small website that looks like a glorified newspaper ad. That's fine if you just want to tell people, "Hey, this is my company, and here's how to find us." However, content pages can do so much more for you.
The more content you have, the more people will actually come to your website because it will show up more frequently in search engines. Once the visitors show up, they'll actually have something to stick around and view, increasing the amount of time they are exposed to your company's presence.
Content pages can also save you time by answering common questions that your patrons have (e.g. hours of operation, prices, menus, ingredients, product details, reviews, services offered, basic how-to instruction, answers to frequently asked questions, etc.) It can also save you time by allowing your visitors to download and print out any paperwork they may need rather than having to contact you to get it.
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