Why a well-structured website helps to improve user experience
Imagine you’re in a rush to grab something from the supermarket. You quickly get dressed, jump in your car, and speed off to the store. As you arrive, the security guard welcomes you inside, but before you even get to the aisle to find what you need, you’re stopped and asked to write a note promising to buy at least one thing before you can leave.
It’s a confusing and frustrating experience, leaving you wondering why you’re being asked to make a promise before you’ve even had a chance to look around.
Just like in the physical world, in the online world, the user experience is crucial, and a poorly designed website can leave users feeling frustrated and confused. In this article, we’ll explore how information architecture and content hierarchy play a critical role in creating a positive user experience, with tips for using headings and subheadings effectively to make website content easy to navigate and understand.
My user story
I once landed on a landing page promoting a webinar whose topic I liked and was immediately greeted by a signup form before even getting to see any content.
This was a huge turnoff, and I found it frustrating that I couldn’t access any information without first providing my details. I didn’t sign up, and didn’t bother reading the content, I closed that window and went about my other activities.
As I thought about this experience again, I wondered how many people might have gone to that page before and after me and how many of them left just as I did without signing up. I equally wondered who designed the page and if he worked with a UX writer to design how the content would appear.
Information Architecture and user experience
Information architecture is the process of organizing and structuring content on a website to make it easy to understand and navigate. It involves grouping related content into categories and organizing those categories into a hierarchy.
A well-organized information architecture can improve the user experience in several ways. It makes it easier for users to find what they’re looking for, which can reduce frustration and increase satisfaction.
It also helps users understand the relationships between different pieces of content, making it easier to navigate the site and find related information.
In my case, I expected to see a little copy talking about the webinar and how it will help me before seeing the signup form which I’ll be excited to fill out as the copy would have done a good job of addressing my concerns.
The benefits of organizing content with a clear Hierarchy
A content hierarchy refers to how content is organized on a website, with the most important information at the top and less important information further down.
A clear content hierarchy is essential for a good user experience, as it helps users quickly find the information they need and understand how it relates to other information on the site.
Some benefits of a well-structured content hierarchy include the following:
Easier navigation:
When content is organized into a clear hierarchy, users can quickly and easily find what they’re looking for, reducing frustration and improving the user experience.
Improved readability:
By organizing content into logical groups and presenting it in a clear order, users can more easily read and understand the content on the site.
Better SEO:
A clear content hierarchy can help search engines understand the structure of your site and improve your search engine rankings.
Using Headings and Subheadings to Structure Content
Headings and subheadings are an essential part of organizing content on a website. They provide structure and hierarchy to the content, making it easier to scan and read. Some ways that headings and subheadings can be used to create a clear content hierarchy include:
- Using clear, descriptive headings that accurately reflect the content of the section.
- Using a logical numbering system (e.g., H1 for the main heading, H2 for subheadings, etc.) to create a clear hierarchy.
- Using consistent formatting for headings and subheadings throughout the site.
- Using headings and subheadings to break up long blocks of text and make it easier to scan and read.
- When using headings and subheadings, it’s important to keep them concise and descriptive. This helps users quickly understand what the section is about and decide whether to read on. Additionally, headings and subheadings should be used consistently throughout the site to create a clear and predictable hierarchy.
In conclusion, information architecture plays a crucial role in user experience, and a well-structured content hierarchy is essential for making it easy for users to find what they need and navigate the site. By using headings and subheadings effectively, you can create a clear hierarchy that improves the readability and navigability of your site. As a UX or content writer, it’s important to keep these principles in mind when creating or updating a website to ensure the best possible user experience.
