How to create a website structure yourself

The structure of the site is the order in which the content is placed on the site. A proper structure will allow search robots to quickly index the page, and users to easily navigate the site. The clearer the structure, the easier it will be to navigate the site.

In order for the structure of a website to be easily understandable to users, the semantic core should be grouped into clusters.

• If you already have a compiled semantic core, skip to the next item. If you don't have a semantic core yet, read how to collect it in the article.
• Group keywords by meaning using the Clustering tool.
• Based on the clusters generated , create separate categories or pages. This makes it easier for the user to find the necessary information on the site.
• Mark the rest of the keywords containing a general query + clarification with tags.
• Put categories and filters in the form of a diagram, for the convenience of the next collection.

Website structure development consists of the following stages:

• Step 1. Analysis of competitors.
  This step is necessary in order to fill the site with relevant and useful content for your audience, as well as create a logical hierarchy of sections. You’ll need to collect and analyze competitors' keywords. To do this, you can use a specialized service such as Serpstat. You can learn more about how to conduct competitor analysis using Serpstat in the article.
• Step 2. Formation of the semantic core.
  The collected keywords will help you to better understand how much information and how many sections you need for your site.
• Step 3. Distribution of keywords among pages.
  This step is necessary to understand what queries each category will be promoting. At the same time, clusters of semantically related keywords can be used to promote a single page.
• Step 4. Creating a hierarchy.
  Depending on the size of the clusters, create a section hierarchy, then transfer it to the site. Make sure the structure can easily be navigated by both users and search engine robots.

Creating a site structure is a process in which a logical system of links between pages, categories and subcategories is designed and built. As a result, a diagram is obtained that indicates how all sections and pages relate to each other, and how they are interconnected.
In order for search engines and users to easily find a site, it is important to make the system logical and simple.

A correct site structure requires the following:

• "Breadcrumbs" are prescribed navigation chains.
• Page nesting is no more than 4 levels deep to meet the 3-click rule.
• Categorization is used to group related content.
• HTML and CSS are used for navigation.
• It is possible to go to the main page from all pages of the site using a link.
• A sitemap is used.
• The structure of the site remains unchanged, regardless of the increase or decrease in the number of categories and subcategories.

In addition, there are a number of Google requirements for the site structure:

• The most understandable, logical and simple site structure for SEO-promotion.
• Use of human-readable URLs (CNC), by which Google determines the relevance of a page to a request.
• The use of punctuation marks (hyphens, in particular) in links to separate individual words.
• URL length up to 75 characters.

There are different types of site structuring:

• Linear - This is one of the simplest site structures. Each page links to the page that follows it and the user visits each page in its predetermined order.
• Linearly branched - Sequential daisy-chaining with easy navigation to other pages via links..
• Tree - A tree structure containing many sections, subsections, branches, multilevel and complex.
• Chain (sieve) - A structure similar to a tree, but with the ability to instantly jump to any other page, at any nesting level.