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Types of web architecture
A structure for every website
Vertical web architecture
In this type of web architecture, the main or ‘home’ page is well separated from the last page, which is the one the user wants to reach. That is to say, there is a hierarchy between the pages, which are organized according to their value.
The distance between the two pages is measured in clicks, so the user will have to click several times to get to the site he/she wants. In short, this type of structure has many levels of depth, making it more inaccessible to the public. Each level of depth corresponds to a Landing Page, which, in turn, contains links to access the next level.
Horizontal web architecture
In this mode, the user will only need one or two clicks to reach the page he/she needs. In horizontal web architecture, there is no hierarchy between the pages that make up the website. It is very common in blogs that include numerous topics, which are organized into categories that are accessed from the Home Page itself.
Due to the shallowness of the site, it is very easy for the user to navigate in pages with this structure. This is very beneficial for the crawling of the website, allowing Google search engine spiders to index the page correctly.
The importance of web architecture
First of all, web architecture makes it easy for search engine bots to access all the pages of a website. This directly affects the positioning of the site and, therefore, the reach of the website. In short, a good web architecture will make your site rank among the first results of Google.
In addition, web architecture also affects the user experience, facilitating their searches and making them feel comfortable and located at all times.
Its effect on positioning
Find out how web architecture affects positioning
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Characteristics of web architecture
Web architecture VS web design
Web architecture and web design are two different terms, although they are closely related. The link between these two concepts is fundamental for a good user experience. Web architecture will be the one that will lay the foundations of the house, choosing its distribution and structure. As for web design, it will be in charge of painting the walls, laying the floor and the rest of the aesthetic tasks.
In this way, the web architecture will determine the type of pages that will be on the site and the web design will decide certain issues such as color, typography or graphic elements of the web.
Its final effect on positioning
As we have seen, the effect of web architecture on SEO is direct. A well-organized web page will make the user feel satisfied, so he will not abandon the site, and what is better: he will come back. Moreover, just as it is easy for users to navigate the site and find what they are looking for, it will also be easy for Google bots. The bots will be able to index all the pages of the site in the Google index.
How to design it
How to approach the task of starting a web architecture
In-depth study
In order to correctly carry out a web architecture, it is critical to study your target audience and the market sector you are going to address. Ask yourself who your buyer persona is, what your competitors are like, where they are weak and where they are strong.
Keyword Research
This information allows you to include the keywords that interest your audience in the Landing Page of your website. In addition, you will be able to structure all the content of the site based on these search terms.
Division of the website
Depending on your target audience and the market in which you operate, you will have to choose a horizontal or a vertical type of web structure. In addition, you will have to pay special attention to the different levels of depth and hierarchy of the content according to its importance and to the CTAs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a vertical or horizontal structure better?
A horizontal structure helps to share the authority of the home page with the rest of the pages it links to and favors the indexation of the different URLs by search engines. However, it depends on the type of website and how each structure is adjusted to it. However, the less depth levels there are, the better.
What is SEO architecture?
SEO architecture is a tool that allows Google to understand the theme in which a website moves. This is achieved through the keywords, making them repeat throughout the website.
What is the sitemap?
As its name suggests, a sitemap is a map of a website. It shows the way to the search engine bots, increasing the probability that all the pages of the site will be indexed.
How many levels of depth does a website have to be?
Ideally, the user should not have to click more than three times to reach the final page. However, this is sometimes very difficult for certain types of pages, such as ecommerce pages. In such cases, shortcuts should be introduced.
Is it possible to change the web architecture of a site?
Yes, but the professional in charge of developing the new web architecture will have to take into account certain aspects so that the change does not affect the positioning. As long as it is done by a professional, it is possible.
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