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What are the most important IA principles for CMSs?

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Information architecture (IA) is the practice of organizing and labeling the content and functionality of a website or application, to make it easy for users to find and use. IA is especially important for content management systems (CMSs), which are software platforms that allow users to create, edit, and publish digital content. CMSs can handle a large amount of content, but without a clear and consistent IA, they can become messy and confusing for both users and content creators. In this article, we will explore some of the most important IA principles for CMSs, and how they can help you create a better user experience and content strategy.

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Devraj Singh

Bubble Developer at Upwork and Fiverr | Building Scalable MVP's for founders and companies
Raza Habib

??Management Consultant ??HCI Expert ??Information Architect ??Digital Innovation Leader ??Senior Technical Product…

1 Define your goals and users

Before you start designing your IA, you need to have a clear understanding of your goals and your users. What is the purpose of your CMS? What are the main tasks and scenarios that your users need to accomplish? Who are your users, and what are their needs, preferences, and behaviors? How do they search, browse, and interact with your content? By answering these questions, you can create user personas, user stories, and user journeys that will guide your IA decisions and help you prioritize the most important content and features.

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Devraj Singh

Bubble Developer at Upwork and Fiverr | Building Scalable MVP's for founders and companies
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Sharing from my own experience, here are the top 5 IA principles crucial for effective CMS design: Clear Navigation: Simplifying menus and links for seamless content discovery. Consistent Structure: Maintaining uniform layout and organization for user familiarity. Flexible Taxonomy: Adaptable categorization methods for diverse content types. Granular Permissions: Precise access controls to safeguard sensitive data effectively. Effective Search: Robust search functionality for quick content retrieval and enhanced productivity. These principles, refined through practical application, have been instrumental in crafting user-friendly CMSs that streamline content management and elevate user satisfaction.

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Raza Habib

??Management Consultant ??HCI Expert ??Information Architect ??Digital Innovation Leader ??Senior Technical Product Manager ??Software Developer ??Coffee Aficionado
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I once stumbled through designing a website's information architecture like a kid lost in a jungle gym. Buttons led to dead ends, menus resembled cryptic scrolls, and users vanished faster than a magician's dove. But then, I remembered the wise words: "If you fail to plan, you plan to fail." I took a step back to identify what was the website's purpose? Like a friendly tour guide, it needed to lead visitors on a clear journey. Who were these visitors? Understanding their needs became my compass. Suddenly, the information architecture wasn't a tangled mess, but a strategic pathway. Menus became signposts, buttons transformed into helpful guides, and content unfolded like a captivating story.

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Oscar Javier Ballesteros Marin

Dise?ador Grafico Digital web/UX/UI │ Product desinger │ Figma │ Busqueda activa de nuevas oportunidades
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"La contribución más importante que puede hacer la inteligencia artificial es saber qué preguntar. Esto se logra comprendiendo las experiencias y necesidades reales del entorno, el servicio y el producto que se estén manejando. Es crucial entender qué problemas debemos resolver o cuál es el objetivo que queremos alcanzar para aprovechar al máximo su potencial

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Fábio Ferreira
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Eu que trabalho com CMSs há bastante tempo, imagino a maravilha que seria uma IA avan?ada para auxiliar a gest?o. Resumidamente a IA pode auxiliar no monitoramento de atividades dentro do seu site e tornar a experiência mais dinamica e personalizada para o usuário. Ela pode ser usada, por exemplo, para gerar automaticamente conteúdo, como títulos, descri??es, resumos e até mesmo artigos simples, ajudando os CMSs a aumentar a escala de produ??o de conteúdo, ou mesmo analisar padr?es de pesquisa, comportamento do usuário e outras variáveis para otimizar o conteúdo para os mecanismos de busca, ajudando os CMSs a melhorar seu ranking nas páginas de resultados dos mecanismos de busca... As possibilidades s?o infinitas.

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2 Use clear and consistent labels

Labels are the words and phrases that you use to name and describe your content and functionality. They help users navigate and understand your CMS, and they also affect how your content is indexed and ranked by search engines. Therefore, you should use clear and consistent labels that match the user's language and expectations, and that reflect the content and context of each page or section. Avoid using jargon, acronyms, or ambiguous terms that might confuse or mislead your users. You can use card sorting, tree testing, and keyword research to test and optimize your labels.

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Raza Habib

??Management Consultant ??HCI Expert ??Information Architect ??Digital Innovation Leader ??Senior Technical Product Manager ??Software Developer ??Coffee Aficionado
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Imagine wandering a maze blindfolded, each turn a gamble. That's what users face with unclear labels. A button marked "Proceed" could launch them to Narnia or delete their life savings. Now, picture clear signs: "Enter Narnia" or "Delete account (are you sure?)". Suddenly, the path is illuminated, trust blooms, and your website becomes a user-friendly wonderland. Think of labels like friendly guides, not tricksters. They should speak the user's language, anticipate their needs, and avoid jargon that leaves them muttering. They'll transform your website from a confusing maze to an open sesame door, welcoming users and boosting your magic online kingdom.

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3 Create a logical and scalable structure

Structure is the way you organize and group your content and functionality into categories, subcategories, and pages. It helps users find and access the information they need, and it also affects how your CMS is managed and maintained. Therefore, you should create a logical and scalable structure that follows the user's mental model and supports their tasks and goals. Avoid creating too many or too few levels of hierarchy, or mixing unrelated or overlapping content. You can use sitemaps, wireframes, and prototypes to visualize and test your structure.

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Raza Habib

??Management Consultant ??HCI Expert ??Information Architect ??Digital Innovation Leader ??Senior Technical Product Manager ??Software Developer ??Coffee Aficionado
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"A cluttered mind makes a cluttered website," my professor once said. Imagine navigating a library where every book spills onto the floor, each page a chaotic jumble. That's the nightmare scenario of a website without structure. Think of your website as your digital home. You wouldn't shove everything into one room, right? You'd organize by function: a cozy kitchen, a restful bedroom, a lively living room. Your website deserves the same thoughtful layout. Here's the magic: a clear structure isn't just user-friendly, it's good for you too! Imagine managing a house with everything scattered – updating a single page becomes a treasure hunt. With a well-organized website, adding new content is a breeze, keeping your site fresh and engaging.

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4 Provide multiple ways to access content

Users may have different ways of looking for and accessing your content, depending on their needs, preferences, and contexts. Therefore, you should provide multiple ways to access content, such as search, browse, filters, facets, tags, links, breadcrumbs, menus, and navigation bars. These methods should complement each other and help users narrow down or expand their options, as well as orient themselves within your CMS. Avoid creating dead ends, broken links, or redundant or conflicting navigation elements. You can use analytics, usability testing, and feedback to evaluate and improve your access methods.

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5 Ensure consistency and coherence

Consistency and coherence are the principles of making your CMS look and feel unified and harmonious, both within itself and with other platforms or channels. They help users form a positive impression of your CMS, and they also reduce the cognitive load and learning curve for your users. Therefore, you should ensure consistency and coherence in your visual design, layout, typography, color, icons, images, tone, voice, and style. Avoid creating inconsistencies or incoherencies that might distract, confuse, or frustrate your users. You can use style guides, templates, and patterns to maintain and enforce consistency and coherence.

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6 Evaluate and iterate

IA is not a one-time activity, but a continuous process of evaluation and iteration. As your CMS grows and evolves, and as your users' needs and behaviors change, you need to monitor and measure the performance and effectiveness of your IA, and make adjustments as needed. Therefore, you should evaluate and iterate your IA using various methods, such as analytics, usability testing, feedback, surveys, and interviews. You should also document and communicate your IA decisions and changes, and involve your stakeholders and users in the process. By doing so, you can ensure that your IA meets your goals and users' expectations, and that your CMS delivers a great user experience and content strategy.

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Kavitha Kalyan

Director of Design, BFSI Interactive | Thought Leader | Story Teller | Speaker | Mentor | Author of Fiction
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This question isn't making sense. IA...OK, CMS...OK.... but you can't really combine the two of them directly. They are in the greys... this isnt as black and white. We can't apply the universal sing song of design process to everything... it doesn't make sense.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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What are the most important IA principles for CMSs?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Define your goals and users

2 Use clear and consistent labels

3 Create a logical and scalable structure

4 Provide multiple ways to access content

5 Ensure consistency and coherence

6 Evaluate and iterate

7 Here’s what else to consider

Information Architecture

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What are the most important IA principles for CMSs?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Define your goals and users

2 Use clear and consistent labels

3 Create a logical and scalable structure

4 Provide multiple ways to access content

5 Ensure consistency and coherence

6 Evaluate and iterate

7 Here’s what else to consider

Information Architecture

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