Before you begin designing a website, you need to collate and logically organize the information
it’s going to contain. A site map usually forms the basis of a site’s navigation, and
you should aim to have the most important links immediately visible. What these links
actually are depends on the nature of your website, but it’s safe to say that prominent
links to contact details are a common requirement across all sites. A corporate website
may also need prominent links to products, services, and a press area. The resulting site
map for a corporate site might resemble the following illustration.
Here, the boxed links serve as the primary navigation and are effectively sections of the
website. Underneath each boxed link is a list of subcategories or pages housed within that
section. With this structure, it’s easy for a newcomer to the site to work out where
information is located. When working on site maps, try talking to people who might be
interested in the site to get their reaction to your organization of the content. When work-ing for a client, ensure that they sign off on the site map, and that you get feedback on the
site map from people at all levels in the company and, if possible, from the company’s
customers. In all cases, seek the opinions of both the technically minded and relative computer
novices, because each may have different ideas about how information should be
structured. After all, most web designers are technically minded (or at least well versed in
using a computer), and they often forget that most people don’t use the Web as regularly
as they do. In other words, what seems obvious to you might not be to the general public.
For larger sites, or those with many categories, site maps can be complex. You may have to
create several versions before your site map is acceptable. Always avoid burying content
too deep. If you end up with a structure in which a visitor has to click several times to
access information, it may be worth reworking your site’s structure.
it’s going to contain. A site map usually forms the basis of a site’s navigation, and
you should aim to have the most important links immediately visible. What these links
actually are depends on the nature of your website, but it’s safe to say that prominent
links to contact details are a common requirement across all sites. A corporate website
may also need prominent links to products, services, and a press area. The resulting site
map for a corporate site might resemble the following illustration.
Here, the boxed links serve as the primary navigation and are effectively sections of the
website. Underneath each boxed link is a list of subcategories or pages housed within that
section. With this structure, it’s easy for a newcomer to the site to work out where
information is located. When working on site maps, try talking to people who might be
interested in the site to get their reaction to your organization of the content. When work-ing for a client, ensure that they sign off on the site map, and that you get feedback on the
site map from people at all levels in the company and, if possible, from the company’s
customers. In all cases, seek the opinions of both the technically minded and relative computer
novices, because each may have different ideas about how information should be
structured. After all, most web designers are technically minded (or at least well versed in
using a computer), and they often forget that most people don’t use the Web as regularly
as they do. In other words, what seems obvious to you might not be to the general public.
For larger sites, or those with many categories, site maps can be complex. You may have to
create several versions before your site map is acceptable. Always avoid burying content
too deep. If you end up with a structure in which a visitor has to click several times to
access information, it may be worth reworking your site’s structure.
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