Effective information architecture ensures UNA's website is intuitive and user-centered by making content easy to find, logically organized, and consistently presented.
IA Standards
- 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- No duplication – Eliminate duplicate, conflicting, or outdated pages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 – 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
Common IA Problems
- Orphaned pages – Content not linked from anywhere
- Deep nesting – Pages buried 5+ clicks from homepage
- Duplicate content – Same info in multiple locations
- Unclear labels – Menu items users don't understand
- Dead ends – Pages with no next steps or related links
The 3-Click Rule: Users should reach any information within 3 clicks from the homepage. If critical content requires more, restructure your IA.