You Need More Than One Site Map
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Something as basic as your web site’s site map could have more of an effect on the success of your web site than you originally may have thought. So why is it that site maps are often taken lightly or overlooked altogether? Most graphic designers, webmasters and even Internet marketers don’t grasp the many uses and purposes for a site map. And the ones who do might only incorporate one version when there is a strong value to having multiple types for different “audiences.”
In this article I will be reviewing the benefits of incorporating a site map, its prime positioning and the different types that should be considered for optimal success.
So What Exactly is a Site Map?
The simple definition of a site map is a page that contains an organized listing of links to all pages within the web site. You will usually find links to these pages somewhere on the home page of a web site, and on more proactive sites, every page. Often site maps are found at the top right or bottom navigation links, away from the main components and natural site navigation, but still positioned in areas of high visitor focus, based on eye-tracking tests that have been performed by knowledgeable Internet marketers.
There are of course many ways to structure the site map itself, taking into consideration a company's brand colors and the special look and feel of the site itself. Some may choose to list links alphabetically while others choose a category-based approach. While the design layout choice is insignificant, an organized and easy to read and follow site map structure is.
The Different Uses for a Site Map
There are three main purposes for a web site map, though particular formats may be applied differently. These three purposes can be categorized into site maps that:
Help the visitor find every page of your site, regardless of link depth or the usability of your natural navigation.
Direct all search engines to your inner pages, not just the home page, and resolve the conflicts caused by dynamic URLs and broken links within the site.
Feature specific formats that can be submitted to the different search engines to help improve search engine optimization (SEO).
Next: HTML Site Map to Help Human Visitors >>
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