Site Maps and Your Website
Sometimes websites have so much information available that it
becomes difficult for visitors to get to all the information.
There are many tools available in such a situation, including a
site map.
First off, let's define what a site map (or sitemap) really is.
Broadly defined, a site map is a page on your website that links
to all the other pages while displaying the organization of the
website. This is sometimes merely a list of links to the main
page in each section of the site. Other times, it's a link to
every single page in the site. So how do you know which of these
you need, or if you even need either of them?
If you haven't already done so, make a flowchart or list that
organizes all the pages on your site into sections. This can
help as you go through the site map process.
Let's determine if you need a site map at all. The following can
be an indication that you need a site map.
- Your site has pages that don't tend to fit into the typical
categories on your website.
- The site is so large that not all the sections will even fit
in your site's navigation.
- There is logical organization to the site, but individual
pages are still difficult to navigate to.
- You made a flowchart of all the pages on your site, and it
takes up several sheets of paper, or an entire marker or chalk
board.
If a site map is appropriate for your site, do you need one that
links to main pages in a section, or one that links to every
individual page?
If you have even around fifty pages or more on your site, one
page that links to every individual page can start to be a
problem. Instead, you might try one main site map that links to
a site map for each section of your site. Then, if you add a
page to your "Features" section, for example, you only have to
update the site map in "Features," not the one for the whole
site.
However, if you're not even close to approaching one hundred
pages, one site map with all your pages listed will probably be
fine. This is a page where it is okay for your visitors to
scroll down a bit. Just make sure that the site map is logically
organized.
So if your website would benefit from a site map, go through and
organize your pages (if necessary) and create one soon. The
sooner, the better.