Here’s how you might map content to some goals of site users: What are these content maps for?Īs you can see in the above examples, some client goals and user goals may have multiple results. Here’s a simple example of mapping content to the goals of the client: Mapping content to the goals of the site usersįor the other map, you’ll then want to map the content to the goals of the users of the site. We can map the business goals of the client to the content that will achieve those goals. Mapping content to the goals of the client The second map will map your content to the goals of the website’s users. The first map will map your content to the goals of your client. And, to be honest, they’re not really maps at all, they’re more like a paired list. Your first two content maps should be linear. You can use a diagramming tool like OmniGraffle to create a content map. Two of my favorite tools are OmniGraffle (a diagramming tool for Mac) and Balsamiq (a wireframing and prototyping tool). Any tool that allows for diagramming and mind mapping can work. However, it’s a good idea to create content maps using web-based tools that allow you to quickly share your outcome with the rest of your team. In my opinion, the tools you use for content mapping aren’t hugely important you could scrawl these maps on your kitchen wall using crayons if you wanted to. While this might not be an incredibly fun experience, discovering content that can be re-purposed will save you tons of time in the long run. If you’re working on an existing site or a site redesign project, it would also be wise to conduct a content audit (which I discuss in an article about incorporating content strategy into the web design process) to get an idea of what content already exists.
An understanding of content requirements: You know the requirements and limitations (e.g., style, technical, legal, etc.) of the content you will produce.An understanding of the site’s users: You know what content the site’s users need and why they go to the website.An understanding of business goals: This includes knowing your clients well, and knowing what they want to get out of their website’s content.Here are some things you’ll need in order to get the most out of content mapping: What you need to get started with content mapping Content mapping helps quickly spot gaps and opportunitiesīy being able to visualize your content, you can potentially spot gaps that need to be filled and opportunities for additional content. Through common language and a shared vision of how everything works and fits together, you can encourage collaboration and additional idea-generation between the different individuals, teams, and components involved in the website production process. Content mapping helps create a shared vision Content mapping helps with technology decisionsīy having a good vision as to the direction and potential requirements of the site’s content, we can make wise decisions at the start about the technologies we’ll use, and make sure that the content management system we choose will meet the needs of our content. Below are some other reasons why you should create content maps. The primary purpose for creating content maps is to help you begin content development with a strong focus on site goals and the types of content you need to produce. You should keep yourself open to external content (e.g. We’re not building a site map, so try to keep your head above the concept of web pages and websites. Note: Content mapping may lead to mind-melting over-complication! Content mapping should be quick and easy (just like a brainstorming session), but when you start referring to paragraphs as “information units” and blog posts as “content blocks”, it may be a sign that you may be making the process more complex than it needs to be. We’ll focus on creating functional content maps that can be used (and understood) by everyone involved in the development of a website. Mapping your content to goals (the goals of the client and the goals of site users).I’ll cover two types of website content mapping in this guide: More specifically, content mapping allows you to see your content as it relates to the goals of your client, the goals of your site users and all the other pieces of content in your website (as well as external websites), allowing you to spot gaps (and opportunities) in your content development strategy. It will help you explore and visualize your content. What is content mapping?Ĭontent mapping is similar to mind maps, but it’s focused on a site’s content. This short and simple guide should help you get started. It can be a simple and valuable part of your site’s overall content strategy. Content mapping is a visual technique that will help you organize and understand the content of a website.
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