{"id":13204,"date":"2026-01-30T10:28:44","date_gmt":"2026-01-30T10:28:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wpm.si\/?p=13204"},"modified":"2026-02-06T10:52:19","modified_gmt":"2026-02-06T10:52:19","slug":"website-development-tree-structure-content-planning","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wpm.si\/en\/wordpress-development\/website-development-tree-structure-content-planning\/","title":{"rendered":"Website development: Tree Structure and Content Planning"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Once the <a href=\"\/en\/wordpress-development\/website-development-why-the-initial-meeting-is-crucial\/\">initial meeting<\/a> is complete and the project goals are clearly defined, website development moves into a more concrete and structured phase. This is where ideas and discussions are translated into a <strong>clear website structure and meaningful content<\/strong>. At this stage, we focus on two closely connected elements: <strong>defining the website\u2019s tree structure<\/strong> and <strong>planning the content that will live within it<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<h2>Defining the website tree structure, a key part of website development<\/h2>\n<p>The first step is defining the <strong>tree structure of the website<\/strong>. This structure represents the backbone of the site \u2014 a hierarchical overview of all pages and how they relate to each other. The objective is straightforward: <strong>users should always know where they are, where they can go next, and how to find what they need<\/strong>, while the structure simultaneously supports business goals.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-13209 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/wpm.si\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/tree_structure_wpm_design.png\" alt=\"Website development: Tree structure\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1364\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wpm.si\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/tree_structure_wpm_design.png 1920w, https:\/\/wpm.si\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/tree_structure_wpm_design-563x400.png 563w, https:\/\/wpm.si\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/tree_structure_wpm_design-1126x800.png 1126w, https:\/\/wpm.si\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/tree_structure_wpm_design-768x546.png 768w, https:\/\/wpm.si\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/tree_structure_wpm_design-1536x1091.png 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" \/><\/p>\n<h3><em>Existing website vs. new website<\/em><\/h3>\n<p>How we approach the tree structure depends on whether the project is a redesign or a completely new website. <strong>For redesign projects<\/strong>, we start by reviewing the existing website. We analyze <strong>what works, what doesn\u2019t, and where users may experience confusion or friction<\/strong>. This includes reviewing current pages, navigation, content grouping, and overall clarity. Based on this review, we decide which parts of the structure can stay, which should be simplified, and which need to be rethought. A redesign is not about copying the old site, but about <strong>improving clarity and fixing structural issues<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p><strong>For new websites<\/strong>, the tree structure is created entirely from scratch. Using insights from the initial meeting and workshop, we define the <strong>main sections, subpages, and content hierarchy<\/strong>. This helps prevent unnecessary pages and ensures the website remains <strong>focused, scalable, and purpose-driven<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<h2>Planning website content<\/h2>\n<p>Once the tree structure is defined, the next step is planning the <strong>content that will populate each page<\/strong>. Structure without content is just a skeleton \u2014 content is what gives the website meaning. At this stage, we clearly define <strong>what content is needed, in what form, and who is responsible for preparing it<\/strong>. When we talk about content, we don\u2019t mean text alone. <strong>Content includes text, images, photography, video, animations, illustrations, icons, and other multimedia elements<\/strong> that support the message and guide users through the website. Multimedia content is not decoration. <strong>It plays an active role in communication<\/strong>, influences how users perceive the brand, and helps explain complex ideas faster and more clearly than text alone.<\/p>\n<h3><em>Existing content vs. new content (text and multimedia)<\/em><\/h3>\n<p>In many cases, especially during redesigns, some content already exists. We review existing texts, images, videos, and other materials to determine <strong>what can be reused, updated, merged, or removed<\/strong>. This process often reveals outdated messaging, duplicated information, or media that no longer reflects the brand or its goals. This review includes written content as well as <strong>existing visual and multimedia assets<\/strong>. We assess whether photos and videos are still relevant, whether they support the message, and whether they meet quality, consistency, and technical standards.<\/p>\n<p>New pages or new goals usually require new content. This can include service descriptions, landing pages, blog content, case studies, conversion-focused copy, as well as <strong>new photography, video content, animations, or custom visual assets<\/strong>. At this stage, we define <strong>what new content is needed, what role it plays, and how it supports the overall structure<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<h3><em>Who prepares the content?<\/em><\/h3>\n<p>Content preparation can take different forms, depending on the project and the client\u2019s preferences.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>The client prepares the content<\/strong> \u2013 we provide clear guidelines, structure, and support<\/li>\n<li><strong>We prepare the content<\/strong> \u2013 based on interviews, workshops, and agreed objectives<\/li>\n<li><strong>A combined approach<\/strong> \u2013 where the client provides raw input and we refine, structure, and optimize it<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The same applies to visual and multimedia content. Depending on the project, photos, videos, and other assets can be provided by the client, created by us, or developed through a combined approach. <strong>The goal is consistency.<\/strong> All content and multimedia elements should support the structure and message \u2014 not compete with them.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-13223\" src=\"https:\/\/wpm.si\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/wpm_content_website_design_2.png\" alt=\"Website development: content and multimedia planning\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wpm.si\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/wpm_content_website_design_2.png 1920w, https:\/\/wpm.si\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/wpm_content_website_design_2-711x400.png 711w, https:\/\/wpm.si\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/wpm_content_website_design_2-1400x788.png 1400w, https:\/\/wpm.si\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/wpm_content_website_design_2-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/wpm.si\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/wpm_content_website_design_2-1536x864.png 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2>Defining the tone of communication<\/h2>\n<p>Content planning is also the phase where we define the <strong>tone of communication<\/strong>. This applies to both text and visuals. We align on how the brand should sound and feel: professional or relaxed, direct or conversational, bold or understated. <strong>The goal is a consistent tone across all pages, content types, and media formats<\/strong>. This includes:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Textual tone<\/strong> \u2013 wording, sentence structure, level of formality, and messaging style<\/li>\n<li><strong>Visual tone<\/strong> \u2013 photography style, video mood, color usage, and overall visual direction<\/li>\n<li><strong>Consistency across media<\/strong> \u2013 ensuring text, images, and video tell the same story<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Defining this early prevents mismatches between copy, visuals, and layout later in the process.<\/p>\n<h2>SEO considerations for existing and new content<\/h2>\n<p>All content planning is carried out with <strong>search engine optimization (SEO)<\/strong> in mind. <strong>Existing content is reviewed and adapted to meet current SEO best practices<\/strong>, including improvements to structure, clarity, keyword relevance, internal linking, and search intent alignment. This ensures that valuable content retains or improves its visibility while better serving users. <strong>New content is created with SEO as a foundational requirement<\/strong>, not as an afterthought. This means defining clear page intent, search-focused topics, logical heading structures, and content depth that supports both users and search engines. By integrating SEO considerations at the content planning stage, we avoid later rewrites and ensure that each page is built to perform from the moment it goes live.<\/p>\n<h2>Why structure and content planning matter<\/h2>\n<p>Tree structure, content planning, and tone definition directly impact usability, SEO, and the overall effectiveness of the website. When text, visuals, and multimedia are planned together, later phases become significantly smoother.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p><strong>A clear structure, purposeful content, and consistent tone create a website that works \u2014 for users and for the business.<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<h2>Laying the groundwork for the next phase<\/h2>\n<p>With the tree structure defined, content planned, and communication tone aligned, the project has a <strong>solid strategic foundation<\/strong>. Pages have clear roles, content has direction, and visual expectations are set. This allows the next phase to focus on layout and user experience, without having to question what belongs where or how it should feel. In the next article, we\u2019ll dive into <strong>wireframing<\/strong> and explore how structure, content, and tone are translated into clear page layouts.<\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/wpm.si\/en\/inquiry\/\" class=\"button primary is-primary is-medium\" >\n\t\t<span>Send an inquiry<\/span>\n\t<\/a>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>After the initial meeting, website development moves into defining structure and content. Learn how tree structure and content planning create clarity, usability, and a strong foundation for the next project phases.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":13221,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[25],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-13204","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-wordpress-development"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpm.si\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13204","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpm.si\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpm.si\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpm.si\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpm.si\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=13204"}],"version-history":[{"count":13,"href":"https:\/\/wpm.si\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13204\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":13318,"href":"https:\/\/wpm.si\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13204\/revisions\/13318"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpm.si\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/13221"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpm.si\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=13204"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpm.si\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=13204"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpm.si\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=13204"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}