Site architecture is how pages are organized and linked together. Create shallow architecture where pages are 3-4 clicks from homepage maximum, use logical categorization, and implement clear navigation paths.
Hey there! Does your website feel like a big maze where visitors and search engines get lost? I know that disorganized feeling can hurt your results. Today, I am sharing the secret to creating a clear, logical structure that boosts your entire site’s authority. Get ready for actionable tips to organize your content and climb the search rankings!
What is Site Architecture?
So, What is site architecture? It is the way I organize and structure all the pages and content on my website. I aim for a simple, shallow hierarchy, usually with a “pyramid” structure, where the homepage links to main categories which link to subcategories. This makes the site easy for users to navigate and for search bots to crawl efficiently.
A good structure ensures that authority and link power flow smoothly from the strong homepage to all the important inner pages. This organization prevents important content from becoming “orphaned” and lost deep within the site. I view site architecture as the fundamental blueprint for SEO success.
Impact on CMS Platforms
The CMS platform dictates the ease and method of implementing and maintaining a strong architecture.
WordPress
With WordPress, I create a clear architecture by utilizing categories and tags correctly to form a content silo structure. I ensure my main navigation and sidebar menus reflect the logical hierarchy of my topics. I use plugins to manage breadcrumbs, which visually reinforces the site’s structure to users and bots.
Shopify
For Shopify, I use the collection structure as the main pillar of the site architecture. I ensure the URL path clearly reflects the product hierarchy, going from category to sub-category. I use internal links within product descriptions to connect related items and collections.
Wix
Wix users benefit from the platform’s simple, clean navigation which naturally encourages a shallow, flat architecture. I ensure all important pages are reachable from the homepage in three clicks or less. I focus on keeping the overall site size small to maintain simple navigability.
Webflow
Webflow’s robust CMS allows me to build custom, scalable hierarchies using folder structures for a perfect physical silo. I leverage the clean code to ensure the navigation menus are semantically correct for search engines. This control enables me to create a technically excellent architecture from the start.
Custom CMS
With a custom CMS, I enforce the architecture rules at the code level, defining the URL structure and navigation templates for developers. I build a systematic internal linking process to ensure link juice flows optimally. This high level of control is essential for maintaining a clear structure on very large websites.
Application Across Industries
The ideal site architecture depends on the complexity and volume of the content required by the industry.
Ecommerce
Ecommerce sites need a deep, but logical, architecture to handle thousands of products and categories. I use a hierarchical structure that goes from the homepage to Department, then Category, then Subcategory, then Product. This helps shoppers filter and find exactly what they need quickly.
Local Businesses
For a local business, I favor a very shallow, simple architecture since the site is usually small. The homepage links directly to core Service Pages and Location Pages, keeping everything two clicks away. This ensures fast access to vital contact and service information.
SaaS (Software as a Service)
SaaS architecture is often split into two sections: Marketing pages and a large Support/Documentation hub. I structure the marketing section simply, and the support hub with clear, siloed categories for different features. This logical organization helps users find quick answers.
Blogs
For my blogs, I use a pillar-and-cluster architecture, which is a form of siloing, to build topical authority. The homepage links to main Pillar Pages, and those link to all the related blog posts (clusters). This makes my site a recognized expert on all the core themes I cover.
FAQ
1. What is the biggest mistake people make with site architecture?
The biggest mistake is making the site too “deep,” forcing users and bots to click five or more times to reach important content. This makes pages hard to find and dilutes link authority. I aim to keep all revenue-generating pages within three clicks of the homepage.
2. Should my site architecture match my main navigation menu?
Yes, the navigation menu should always be a reflection of the best parts of your site architecture. This alignment makes it incredibly easy for users to understand where they are on the site. I ensure my main categories in the menu correspond directly to my top-level content silos.
3. How does site architecture affect my Crawl Budget?
A clear, shallow architecture significantly improves crawl budget efficiency. Googlebot can find and index important pages faster because it does not waste time digging through deep, confusing link structures. This means my new or updated content gets ranked much sooner.
4. What is an “Orphaned Page” and why is it bad?
An orphaned page is any page on my website that has no internal links pointing to it. It is bad because users cannot find it, and search bots struggle to discover it, meaning it receives no link authority. I must ensure every single page is linked to from at least one other page.
5. Can I fix bad site architecture without rebuilding my entire website?
Yes, I often start by fixing the internal linking structure, which is the “virtual” architecture. I can add contextual links in content and update the main navigation and footer menus. If the URL structure is confusing, a site migration with 301 redirects may be necessary, but linking is the best first step.
