Site maps can save users from being lost on a crowded site by serving as an alternative method for navigating sites. Well-designed site maps provide a visualization of the site’s hierarchy and groupings, which help people find the information they seek. We present techniques for presenting:

• Alphabetical site indexes
• Dynamic diagrams
• Two-dimensional lists

This 176-page report offers 47 design recommendations for creating effective site maps. Discussions and 87 screenshots supplement the findings.

Benefits

• Free report -- as a thank you for your support over the years ($74 value)
• Checklist of 47 guidelines for improving site maps
• User-based diagrams representing their mental models of websites

Topics covered

• Overview
  • Benefits of a site map
  • Site maps today
  • Success ratings
• Behavioral patterns
  • Frequency of use
  • Hunting strategies
  • How participants define site maps
• Attributes of site maps
  • Poorly rated and low success
  • Highly rated and high success
• Guidelines
  • Site map link: Name and placement
  • Navigation
  • Relationship of the site map to the site
  • One column vs. multiple columns
  • Page density
  • Design
  • Content
  • Alphabetical indices
• Site diagrams from participants
• Methodology

What’s new in the 2nd Edition?

The 2nd edition contains additional recommendations, increasing from 28 to 47 guidelines.