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We can now sketch out some new structures to test. Let’s take a look at the most common ways sites are organized, and some common tactics that can help us create our own trees.
Wide/shallow vs. narrow/deep
When we create site trees, a common question is “Should we create a shallow tree with lots of headings at the same level, or a deep tree with fewer choices at each level?”
For example, here’s a tree designed as shallow and deep:
- diagram of shallow and deep trees
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In most cases, it’s best to go with a shallower, wider tree because:
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Note, though, that wide/shallow trees can cause problems if they’re too wide:
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For more on this, check out Kathryn Whitenton’s excellent article on Flat vs. Deep Website Hierarchies.
Team-sourcing ideas
If you’re working with a project team, you have an advantage in generating ideas for site trees – other people’s brains.
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