Giving your user a frame of reference and familiarity will help them to easily classify the information and intuitively navigate your site.  One way to do this is by using a site metaphor.

Alan Richmond defines this in his article "Conceptual Foundations" found in the Web Developer's Public Library.  "Metaphor refers mainly to the mental model that users create of your site - but often it will be a reflection of your site's file structure. Typical metaphors include libraries, books, supermarket aisles, desktops, TV channels, maps, VCRs -- any way that people are familiar with for structuring information (Richmond)."  He goes on to explain that these metaphors represent a collection of files, and it is imperative that this be well-planned and structured.

The Web Developers at Clear Design agree, adding, "Navigational metaphors create meaningful contexts for relating known concepts."  They also propose that metaphors "can help orient users by establishing useful expectations about the site's organization and/or functionality (Clear Design)."

Questions? Comments?  Do I practice what I preach? Contact me at afensie@attbi.com.
Organizing Your Web: A Guide to Creating Intuitive Navigation Structure was created by Anne Fensie for IT522 at Bridgewater State College.
Copyright 2002
Last updated October 03, 2006