Planning the structure of a corporate website is a critical yet often overlooked step that can have long-term effects. Many businesses find that after launching their site, users struggle to find content, backend management is cumbersome, and search performance is poor—often due to structural design flaws. Below are common issues to consider when building or revamping a website.
Mistake 1: Overly Deep Navigation Levels
Some companies create multiple subcategories to appear content-rich, e.g., "About Us → Company Profile → History → 2008." Users need three or four clicks to reach specific content, leading to frustration. Core content should be accessible within three clicks. Place key first-level items in the main navigation and minimize unnecessary intermediary pages.
Mistake 2: Vague Navigation Labels
Abstract terms like "Solutions," "Business Systems," or "News Center" don't clearly indicate what users will find. Use direct labels such as "Products," "Case Studies," or "Company Announcements" so visitors can instantly identify where to find needed information.
Mistake 3: Structuring by Internal Departments
Many companies organize sections by internal teams (R&D, Marketing, After-Sales), but visitors care about products, cases, and contact info—not internal divisions. Plan navigation from the user's perspective, focusing on what they most frequently seek: products, services, case studies, support, and contact details.
Mistake 4: Frequent Structural Overhauls During Updates
Regularly changing navigation or URL structures can break old links indexed by search engines, leading to 404 errors. When redesigning, implement 301 redirects or keep core sections stable. Add new content via subcategories rather than overhauling the entire structure.
Mistake 5: Ignoring Mobile Optimization and Load Speed
With rising mobile traffic, some websites suffer from overlapping menus, distorted images, or unclickable buttons on phones. Plan for responsive design from the start, ensuring clean navigation and readable content across devices, while controlling page size to avoid slow loading from excessive effects.
Mistake 6: No Room for Future Content Updates
Focusing only on the homepage and main sections without reserving space for news, FAQs, or case updates leads to chaotic additions later. Include dynamic sections like "Company News" or "FAQ" in the initial plan to accommodate ongoing updates.
Tips for Better Website Structure
- List all content first: Inventory all information you want on the site, then group by importance and relevance.
- Limit navigation items: Keep primary navigation to 7 or fewer items, and subcategories to no more than three levels.
- Ensure key info is accessible: Place critical content (contact info, core product details) on the homepage or first-level pages.
- Use consistent naming: Keep section names concise and uniform, avoiding mixed languages or non-standard abbreviations.
- Test prototypes: Before development, walk through wireframes with unfamiliar users to identify cognitive gaps.
There's no one-size-fits-all website structure, but avoiding these common mistakes will make your site more organized and easier to maintain. If you're planning a new site or redesign, review these points to reduce rework.