DOING IA YOURSELF

Information architecture is simply applied common sense, with built-in user/customer advocacy. All you need to do is organize and label the content, and design interactions, in ways that make sense to the intended audience(s). Yes, it’s easier said than done, which is why you might hire someone to do it for you.

Not that we don’t want your business, but let’s face it: sometimes you need to take care of this yourself. No agency, no contractor, no freelancer–just you and your web site, trying to do right by your customers. Because your web site is like a musical instrument that must always be tuned.

Luckily there are some straightforward things you can do right off the bat. And a lot of resources are available to guide you through things that take a bit more time and attention.

For Starters…

• Make sure there is a link to the homepage and to a way to contact your organization on every page of your site. Make sure it appears in a consistent place, in a consistent way. 
• Make sure the visible page titles on every page (or at least those one click from your homepage) match or closely match the titles in the HTML title tags (i.e. that appear in the title bar of the browser).
• Assign someone the role of user experience designer and/or information architect for your site (or get your boss to assign you this role). They don’t have to do it full-time, but they should keep tabs on it. Make it part of their job and their performance evaluations.
• Talk to actual customers and observe them using your site, application or service. At least once a year. Record what you observe, present it to colleagues, and discuss. Do it again and get colleagues to observe as well.

More Resources

Boxes and Arrows
Online publication “devoted to the practice, innovation, and discussion of design; including graphic design, interaction design, information architecture and the design of business.” Very useful articles, see especially Case Studies, Deliverables, Findability, Usercentric.

The Information Architecture Institute
A global professional organization that “supports individuals and organizations specializing in the design and construction of shared information environments.”

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