Can site structure help your UK small business? Starting a website might seem like a huge challenge. There are a lot of things to think about, like how it looks and how it functions. It’s easy to lose track of what’s most important. But one key part that makes a big difference to your online visibility is how your site is structured.
A clear structure helps Google make sense of your website and gives users a better experience. It becomes simpler for them to browse and find what they need. Let’s explore ways to create a site layout that works well for both search engines and your visitors.
Grasping Site Structure
What Do We Mean by Site Structure?
Site structure shows how a website is set up. It includes how pages are laid out, the order of content, and the paths users follow to explore the site. Picture it as your website’s map helping both people and search engines navigate what’s there.
Why Does Site Structure Matter?
A clear site structure matters for many reasons:
- Better Experience for Users: An organised design helps visitors find what they need without hassle. This keeps them from getting annoyed and encourages them to spend more time browsing.
- Better SEO: Search engines like Google rely on how your site is structured to scan and index its pages. A clear setup lets them figure out how different content connects, which might boost your rank.
- Higher Conversion Rates: Users are more likely to take actions like buying something or signing up for a newsletter when your website is easy to get around.
Main Elements of a Good Site Structure
1. Organising in Levels
Your site needs a level-based layout, with the homepage on top followed by main sections then sub-sections, and the individual pages. This setup makes it easy to go from broad topics to more detailed ones.
- Homepage: The homepage serves as the starting point of your website. It needs to show what your business does.
- Main Categories: These are key parts of the website like “Products,” “Services,” or “Blog.”
- Subcategories: These go deeper into each main category to let users find what they need.
2. Easy Navigation
Navigation shows users the way around your site. A menu that’s simple to use is crucial to give visitors a good experience. Below are some ideas to make navigation work better:
- Keep Menu Items Few: Your main menu should have fewer than seven items. Too many choices can confuse visitors.
- Choose Clear Labels: Make sure menu items explain what users will find when they click. Instead of “Products,” try saying “Shop Our Products” to give more context about the action.
- Add a Search Bar: A search tool helps users locate specific information fast and makes their time on your site easier.
3. Internal Linking
Internal links connect pages within your website. They help users look around and find related content while also showing search engines how your website pages relate. Here’s how you can use them well:
- Link to Relevant Pages: While creating blog posts or writing service pages connect them to other useful pages on your site. This keeps visitors interested and invites them to check out more stuff.
Choose Detailed Anchor Text: Avoid vague phrases like “click here.” Pick anchor text that shows what the link is guiding to.
How to Build Your Website Structure: A Guide
Step 1: Set Clear Goals
Think about what you want your website to do before you start structuring it. Is the purpose to attract customers, offer details, or drive sales? Knowing these goals helps shape how the site is organised.
Step 2: Study Your Users
Understanding who your audience is plays a big role in setting up a site structure that works well for them. To figure this out, do some research to learn about their preferences, what they struggle with, and the way they search for details. With this knowledge, you can arrange content in a way that makes sense and clicks with them.
Step 3: Make a Sitemap
A sitemap acts as a picture of how your site is set up. It shows the order of your pages and how they connect. Building a sitemap allows you to spot missing content and check if everything follows a logical order. You can try tools like Lucidchart or Google Drawings to build one.
Step 4: Work on Navigation Design
After creating a clear sitemap, start working on your navigation design. Think about how people will use your site and match your menu to your site’s layout. Test the navigation with actual users to get feedback that will help fix any issues.
Step 5: Add Internal Links
While writing your content, make sure to include internal links. These links improve navigation and help search engines crawl your site better boosting your SEO.
Improving Your Site Structure to Boost SEO
1. Create URLs That Are SEO-Friendly
Your URLs should be simple and clear. Do not include random numbers or unnecessary symbols. Use words that show what the page is about. For instance, www.yoursite.com/services/web-design works much better than www.yoursite.com/page123.
2. Add Schema Markup
To help search engines grasp your content, use schema markup. This structured data can make your listings show rich details boosting the chances of users clicking your links.
3. Track Progress and Make Changes
When your site goes live, you should check how it is performing. Tools like Google Analytics help you see what users do on your site and figure out what needs fixing. Look over how your site is set up from time to time, and tweak things to improve the user experience and boost SEO.
Wrapping Up Site Structure
Your small business website needs a structure that both Google and your audience can follow. By prioritising clear navigation strong internal links, and a well-organised hierarchy, you can make your site easier to use while helping it rank better in search results.
A good site structure helps search engines understand your content and also keeps visitors interested and motivates them to act. Contact us today here at We Get Digital and we’ll help you build and adjust your site’s structure, and your online presence will grow stronger.
