Effective information architecture ensures UNA's website is intuitive and user-centered by making content easy to find, logically organized, and consistently presented.
Information Architecture
- Logical hierarchy – Clear page relationships reflecting natural user navigation
- Consistent naming – Menus, links, section headers use predictable language
- Clear separation – Programs, departments, and administrative content don't overlap
- No duplication – Eliminate duplicate, conflicting, or outdated pages
- Simple pathways – Direct, linear routes to key actions with minimal steps (e.g., Find Program → Program Page → Apply)
Navigation Principles
Primary Navigation
Top-level menu visible on every page. Limited to 6-8 items representing major site sections.
Secondary Navigation
Sub-menus within sections. Maximum 3 levels deep to prevent user confusion.
Breadcrumbs
Required on all pages except homepage to show location in site hierarchy.
URL Structure
- Descriptive paths:
/academics/programs/nursing - Lowercase, hyphens only:
/admissions/apply-now - No special characters or dates in URLs
- Permanent URLs maintained with redirects when changed