Information Architecture
Wayfinding
Plain English
Helping users understand where they are and how to get where they want to go.
Definition
Wayfinding is how users understand where they are, where they can go, and how to get there within a product or glossarySystemA system is a collection of interconnected components that work together to achieve a specific function or outcome.Open glossary term. It relies on clear glossaryNavigationHow users move around a website or product.Open glossary term cues, structure, and glossaryFeedbackFeedback is the system response that informs users about the result of their actions. It helps users understand what has happened and what to do next.Open glossary term to help users move confidently through an experience.
In practice
Used to design glossaryNavigationHow users move around a website or product.Open glossary term glossarySystemA system is a collection of interconnected components that work together to achieve a specific function or outcome.Open glossary term, breadcrumbs, and visual cues that help users orient themselves and move through glossaryPain PointA specific problem or frustration users experience when trying to complete a task.Open glossary term without confusion.
The reality
When wayfinding fails, users feel lost - and once that happens, they rarely recover.
FAQ
Common questions
A few practical answers to the questions that usually come up around this term.
What is wayfinding in UX?
Wayfinding is how users navigate and understand their position within a product or glossarySystemA system is a collection of interconnected components that work together to achieve a specific function or outcome.Open glossary term.
Why is wayfinding important?
It helps users move through a product confidently without getting lost or confused.
How do you improve wayfinding?
By using clear glossaryNavigationHow users move around a website or product.Open glossary term, consistent glossaryLayoutLayout is the arrangement of elements on a page or screen, determining how content is organised and presented. It influences readability, usability, and overall experience.Open glossary term, and visual cues like breadcrumbs and headings.
What is the difference between wayfinding and navigation?
glossaryNavigationHow users move around a website or product.Open glossary term provides the tools, while wayfinding is the user’s understanding of how to use them.
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