Web Design Practices | Faceted Classification

There are so few sources of data on IA items like facets, so here’s an interesting post…

Unlike a simple hierarchical scheme, faceted classification gives the users the ability to find items based on more than one dimension. For example, some users shopping for jewelry may be most interested in browsing by particular type of jewelry (earrings, necklaces), while others are more interested in browsing by a particular material (gold, silver). ‘Material’ and ‘type’ are examples of facets; earrings, necklaces, gold, silver are examples of facet values.

Frequency of Faceted Classification: 69% of sites made at least some use of faceted classification. In four product categories (Computers, Gifts, Kitchen Ware, Music/Video) all sites within the category used faceted classification. In one product category (Office Supplies) no sites within the category made use of facets.

More interesting facet factoids >>

Hey, for all those budding information architects out there or for those just interested in the subject, check out [Austin Govella's intro to all things IA.->http://www.squidoo.com/ia/] There’s a section on the foundations of IA, introductory books, some good links, email lists, and job listings. I was pleased to see Steve Krug’s book “Don’t Make Me Think” listed there. That’s one of my all-time favs that I sometimes give to clients, it’s an easy quick read.