It is not something you can do without planning. You might not have known that the website you are browsing now would have taken a lot of planning.
You can use this outline to help you plan your web project. This strategy should be used by every web developer before they start a project. Here’s the problem: how do you do it?
We will be discussing the anatomy of a website as well as tips for creating an outline template.
1. Go to the root of the purpose
Are you clear about what you are designing? It’s impossible to follow a path that doesn’t take you to your destination. You must also have a description of your website.
Let’s take, for example, a site that is brand new. What is the site’s purpose? What is the purpose? How will you measure these goals?
Websites are not about having the most flashy features. They should have the best performance over time. Before you start designing, make sure to talk to your clients and supervisors.
2. Balance your business requirements with user requirements
A wish list is a list of requirements that clients have for their websites. You must get this wish list that includes their business requirements.
Make a lot of your business needs and include “must-have features” for X task. Ask your client to rank these tasks, starting with the most important. This will allow you to help your client prioritize.
Not all features listed in the business requirements will be included in the initial website state. It is not just about money and time, but also the users’ requirements that determine whether features should be added or removed.
After brainstorming different scenarios and user requirements, you can go back through the list and rate each feature.
It should be able to accommodate user priorities. You can also list features you believe users would enjoy.
3. Categorize and Prioritize information for your site’s outline
Once you have collected the data, it is time to translate the business and user requirements into a design. This outline will assist you in creating a sitemap.
A grouping of similar items and features is one way to create a well-constructed outline. A pattern will be formed when you become familiar with the contents and features. You will soon discover that not all items fit into the list.
These steps will help you convert your priorities into an outline.
Make a group.
* Find identical features and content. Combine them.
* Each entry in a group should be considered one page of content or features.
Limit the number of entries to 5-7:
You can categorize 5 to 7 main groups for improved usability. It’s not as difficult as it sounds for large sites, so categorize only three groups.
These groups should be prioritized as primary, secondary, and tertiary.
Limit the depth of each group to 2 levels:
Each group will have a list of the items. In some cases, however, you will find a subcategory for a specific item. When creating a subcategory, do not exceed the first level.
This is a useful point of view from the standpoint of usability.
You can create subcategories and make the group more complex, which will cause navigational problems in website design.
Take a look at the following example. Pay close attention to the numbering levels.
1. Company Information
1.1 Get in touch
1.2 Partners
1.2.1 Home furniture partner
1.2.2 Kitchen appliances partners
1.3 Press/Media
1.4 Company History
1.5 Members
Create a group based on global features
If the requirements list contains details such as login tools or search features, or pages like terms of service or privacy policy, you can keep them in a global or universal group.
These pages and tools can be linked strategically in your header or footer sections.
This is an example of how to better understand it:
Priority-wise Navigation points set up
The main purpose of categorizing and creating groups is to simplify the website’s navigation system. Keep in mind that the categories and groups you create will appear on every page of your website.
Because users have many options, it is best to group navigation sets. Provide visual treatments for users to make them interested in your pages.
It becomes your primary navigation if there is only one group. This simplifies design.
If there are multiple groups, however, you must decide which group will be your primary navigation.
The rest of the navigation will be classified into secondary and tertiary sets. Each set of secondary or tertiary navigation will have a different or lesser visual treatment.
They will also be located in a different area of the site. You should limit the number of groups in the primary, secondary, and tertiary sections. Otherwise, usability will decrease. Customers will have difficulty if they are given more than seven options.
It is a good idea to combine all navigation elements and give them the same visual treatment. This allows users to easily distinguish each navigation set and its importance.
A systematic approach to website design is key. These tips can help you narrow your options and create a sitemap to simplify every aspect of your website.
