7 areas of the website structure to be appreciated

A good website structure is able to cater as many different groups of people as possible.  There are different parts of the website which are only visible to the visitors only if they are looking out for them.

1) Social Bookmarking tools

Every little part of the website means something to someone out there.  When we browse a website, those of you who are frequent users of social bookmarking tools such as Digg, Delicious or StumbleUpon, will tend to identify those logos easily on the web.  And somehow, these logos will be a blindspot for the rest of us.

2) Advertisements

It goes the same to the ad banners on the website.  Those who simply don’t click on the ads, will not be able to see the ads even if it is placed in front of him or her!  And those who appreciate ads, will tend to see what that advertiser has to offer.  I can still r

3) RSS Feeds

Those who like to subscribe to feeds,  will tend to look for the feed logos and click on them.  This is because they want to read more about it in a single place such as Google Reader.

4) Breadcrumbs

If you are familiar with the little arrows in navigation path that you have been surfing (such as below),

Websites > Web Designs > HTML/CSS

you will usually appreciate to see them so that you know where you are currently surfing just in case you wish to surf other areas of the website.

5) Teasers

Teaser campaigns may come in as and when.  It usually happens to websites which are very much more active online.  They may sometimes come with prizes.  They may come with surprises.  It could be tied up with a new product launch.  Or probably just want to keep you entertained so as to come back for more.

6) Home Page Logo linked back to main landing page

Though simple to create,  this logo is usually linked to the homepage.  It is good for SEO purpose when every single page are  ”casting their votes” by  linking to their main landing page.  Hence, this main landing page is the single most important page.  It should have the most number of clicks on the website.

7) Login Textbox/Sign Off button

Web 2.0 has settled down on the Internet.  Some may even say there is such thing as Web 3.0.  Basically, it means the website is getting more interactive to the user and encourages user responses.  And logging into the system is one of the common ways that the website wants the visitor to do before they can interact with the website.