Information Design IV:

Realtor.com: An example of stellar information architecture

When you open a listing on Realtor.com, the information is presented in such a way that makes the site far superior to other sites in this subject area. The site makes good use of hierarchy. When you go to Realtor.com there is no question where you need to input data to initiate a search for a home. Then when you select a listing the information on the home is well-organized and easy to locate. Take the listing below:

http://homes.realtor.com/search/listingdetail.aspx?ctid=79921&ml=3&mnp=29&mxp=29&typ=7&sid=e44476afa2a848a6bec7c80f8214f51f&sdir=0&sby=3&pg=1&lid=1083153517&lsn=4&srcnt=31#Detail

When you open the listing, you are presented with four tabs to choose from: Listing Details, Maps & Directions, Photo Gallery and Neighborhood Info. Organizing the listing information into tabs saves significant screen real estate and avoids clutter. Other sites combine all of this information on a single screen. Realtor.com is one of the few sites that will map the listing on a map in the Maps & Directions section enabling you to zoom out to see the "big picture" or zoom in to view more detail.