IA demo
Part 3: Content audit
Next, I do a content audit to see what I’m working with. Some huge projects would have content experts for this stuff, but for all of the projects I’ve worked on, it’s been part of my remit.
Usually I would just do a pen & paper sketch to get an idea about how I want to restructure everything, both for a good user experience and for the client’s objectives.
But in extreme instances (like this one) where I need to explain rationale, I put the sketch into Axure (my preferred wireframe software) so that I can visually explain WHAT R THE HAPS.
So:
1. Pen & paper sketch -
This is super messy, especially right this second, because I am not in a good mood about boys and that sort of thing affects my handwriting. But you can see in the sketch, I start to see a birds-eye view of how the site has been structured and where there are problems (for example, see how “Customer Testimonials & References” in the main navigation isn’t actually a page, but instead it links through to another page in the “About Us” section).
2. Axure site map -
This is good as a rationale. I did this for CityLink, I think, and it really visually explained to the client why there were problems with their site, and made them more comfortable with allowing complete structural changes to their site. Hopefully if you zoom in, you can read all the notes and see the diagnosis and opportunities.
3. Analytics -
This is also where I would also check the Google Analytics to see how people are currently using the site.
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NEXT – Part 4: Competitors.
