By Eddy R.
4-24-00

Information Architecture - IA - is the construction of a structure - a web site, and the organization of information - a site's content. Basically, an Information Architect maps the structure of a site and organizes its content through an interface designed to present that content.

To some, Information Architecture is a time-consuming process that must be avoided at all cost - to their misfortune, IA is a process that should always be a top priority before building a web site.

Let's now consider the highlights of IA.

Defining a Site's Goals

This is the first step in the Information Architecture process. Defining a site's goals ensures that everyone involved in the process of creating a web presence, knows what the purpose of the site is, what kind of content it will have, and most important of all, who the audience will be.

Setting time aside to prepare well defined questions and listening to, and filtering feedback from those involved in the project will derive in a smooth IA process. Just remember, spend as much time as needed in this first step because if you don't, all the work that lies ahead will be worthless - people won't be happy with the results and you'll have to start all over again therefore using up more valuable time.

Also, when figuring out who your audience is, it helps to think like your audience would - that is what impression they would get from your site, and what their needs and goals are. This is an easy thing to do since you've probably done this many many times with web sites that interest you.