Compared with website page and function planning, the importance of website column planning is often overlooked. In fact, website column planning has a very direct relationship with the success or failure of the website. Website columns have the following two functions, both of which are indispensable.
First, outline the main points and make the topics clear.
Internet speeds are getting faster and faster, and the information on the Internet is getting richer and richer, but viewers are becoming less and less patient in browsing. The website should not be opened for more than 10 seconds. Once the information you need cannot be found, the website will be closed unceremoniously by the viewer. To make visitors stop in their hurry, you must clearly give them the "outline" of the website content, that is, the columns of the website.
The planning of website columns is actually a high degree of refinement of website content. Even if the book is beautifully written, if it lacks a clear outline and structure, it may be drowned in the ocean of books. The same is true for websites. No matter how exciting the content of the website is, it will be difficult to attract the attention of viewers if it lacks accurate column extraction.
Therefore, the column planning of the website must first achieve "outline and clear topics", use the most concise language to extract the content of each part of the website, and clearly tell the viewer what the website is saying and what information and functions it has.
Second, guide the lost and provide clear navigation
The more content a website has, the easier it is for viewers to get lost. In addition to the role of "outline", website columns should also provide clear and intuitive guidance for viewers to help them reach all pages of the website easily.
The navigation function of website columns usually includes the following four situations:
1. Global navigation
Global navigation can help users go to any column of the website at any time. And can easily jump to another column. Generally speaking, the position of global navigation is fixed to reduce the search time of viewers.
2. Path navigation
Path navigation displays the columns and paths of the pages that users browse, helping users access the upper and lower columns of the page to gain a more complete understanding of the website information.
3. Quick navigation
For old users of the website, they need to quickly reach the required columns. Quick navigation provides these users with intuitive column links, reducing the number of clicks and time for users, and improving browsing efficiency.
4. Related navigation
In order to increase the user's stay time, website planners need to fully consider the needs of viewers and set up relevant navigation for the page so that viewers can easily go to the relevant pages they are interested in, thereby enhancing their understanding of the company and increasing the chance of cooperation.
In the final analysis, successful column planning is based on understanding user needs. The more accurate and in-depth the understanding of users and needs is, the more attractive the website columns will be and the more potential customers will be retained.