After clarifying the goals and positioning of your website, the next step is to build a “skeleton” for your website, which is to sayPlanning the website structure. A good structure not only makes it easy for visitors to find the information they need and enhances the user experience, it is also crucial for search engine optimization (SEO).
For the uninitiated, no complicated tools are needed to get started with a piece of paper or a document. This chapter will show you by hand how to plan a clear, logical structure for different types of websites.
I. Core concepts: page vs. section
First, let's quickly sort out two key concepts that will correspond directly in the WordPress backend operations:
- Page.Refers to a stand-alone, single page with fixed content that is usually the core component of a website. Example.Home, About Us, Contact Us, Services, Privacy Policy、couponetc. They form the main framework of the website.
- Columns (Categories).Mainly used for thewritingsMake a categorization. If your website has a blog or news section, columns are essential. For example, a food blog could have [WordPress】、【Tencent Cloud Activity], [Notes on visiting the store] and other columns.
Simple to remember.
- “Page”for building websitesstatic framework。
- “Column.”For managing yourDynamic content (articles)。
II. Generic must-have pages (almost all sites need them)
No matter what type of website you make, the following pages are basic standards and are recommended to be created as a priority:
- Home:.The “face” of the website needs to clearly show what the website does and direct users to other important pages.
- About Us.The key to building trust. Tell users who you are, your story, your philosophy, or your team's background.People always like to do business with people they know.
- Contact Us.Make it easy for potential customers or readers to find you. It should contain at least oneContact form, and include an email, social media links, or company address.
- Privacy Policy.If your website collects user data (e.g., through contact forms, comments, or analytics tools), this page is required by law to explain how you protect and process user data.
- Disclaimer.Declare the authority and extent of responsibility for the content of the site, especially for sites that provide advice or information.
Third, according to the type of site planning structure and columns
Now, let's look at how to plan for this specifically in relation to common types of websites.
1. Personal blog
- Core.The main focus is on “Articles” and “Columns (Categories)”.
- Typical page.
- Home (to display the latest articles or selected articles)
- About me.
- contact details
- privacy policy
- Columnization Tips.
- Not by “time”.(e.g. “2025 article”), which makes no sense.
- By content theme: as in [Big Data & AI】、【Gaming Solutions】、【Web & Apps】。
- By form of content: e.g. [long article], [video], [gallery].
- Beginner's Advice: Setting at the beginning3-5Broad, large columns will do, and then subdivided later when there is more content.
2. The company's official website
- Core.The main focus is on “pages”, possibly with a “news/blog” section.
- Typical page.
- Home(Company profile + core services + strengths + success stories + call to action)
- About Us(Development history, corporate culture, team introduction)
- Service/Product Center(If there are not many products, they can be displayed directly on a page; if there are many products, they can be displayed in “columns” or “customized types”.)
- Success Stories/Testimonials
- Contact Us(with forms, maps, contact details)
- privacy policy
- Column (optional).
- You can create a [Company News] or [Industry News] section, which is used to post updates and helps with SEO.
3. Online stores (e-commerce)
- Core.“Products” and “product categories” are the absolute protagonists.
- Typical page.
- Home (pop-up products, promotions)
- About us (to increase trust)
- common problems(Very important to reduce customer service stress)
- After-sales service / Return policy
- Contact Us
- privacy policy
- Segmentation (i.e., product categorization).
- The categorization logic should be clear and easy for users to filter. For example, a clothing store:
- Primary classification: [Recommended Activities】、【Solutions】、【Blog Posts】
- “Secondary category under ”Activity Recommendations": [Tencent cloud】、【Ali Cloud】、【JD Cloud】
- Important Tip.E-commerce website useWooCommercePlugin that automatically creates “Cart”, “Checkout” and other pages for you, without having to plan them manually.
- The categorization logic should be clear and easy for users to filter. For example, a clothing store:
4. Portfolio website
- Core.Show “items”, each of which can be a “page” or a custom post type.
- Typical page.
- Home (Selected Works Collection)
- About me (biography, creative philosophy)
- Contact information (invitation to cooperate)
- Column division (i.e., item classification).
- By type: [Branding Design], [UI/UX Design], [Photography],
- By Industry: [Technology Projects], [Food & Beverage Projects], [Fashion Projects]
Fourth, the novice action guide: three steps to draw your site structure
- Step 1: Brainstorm (get a pen and paper and write)
- Draw a circle in the center of the paper and write “Home”.
- Then draw lines outward, connecting all the ones you think you need tomain page(about, contact, etc.).
- Think again, if there are blogs or products that the mainColumn (classification)What are some of them and draw them too.
- Step 2: Prioritize
- Which pages must be placed on the main navigation menu? (usually no more than 7)
- Which secondary pages can be placed in the footer of a website?
- Refer to this simple structure:
首页 -> 关于我们 -> 服务项目 -> 案例 -> 博客 -> 联系我们
- Step 3: Review and Simplify
- Show your sketch to a friend and ask them if they can see what the site is for and if they can find the information they are looking for.
- Simplify! Simplify! Simplify again!The most common mistake newcomers make is to make the structure too complicated. Stick to the “three-click rule”: Users can find whatever they're looking for in a maximum of three clicks.
Summary.
Planning the structure of your website is a process of “building the skeleton first, then filling in the flesh and blood”. By taking the time to complete this step, you'll be more efficient and focused in your subsequent WordPress builds. You won't be stuck wondering “Which plugin do I need to install?” or “How do I set up my menus?” because the answer is already in your planner.
Now, pick up a pen and draw your first “design” for your website!
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