12 replies to this topic

[BrianR]

Hello Fellow Forumists

I know there are some dissenters out there (aren't there always!) but I like to use a site map on all my sites above 20 pages long.

My question is: What are the best examples of site map design/ layout that the forum members have come across in their cyber travels - particularly in smaller sites??

In another forum, Haystack suggested these two fine heavyweights:

http://www.forbes.co...c/sitemap.shtml
http://www.apple.com/find/sitemap.html

All other contributions will be greatfully received...

Thanks. 'Tis now the witching hour and I must to bed - goodnight all.

BrianR

[Tenyque]

Jakob Nielsen of web usabilty fame seemed to like the layout of the past CDNOW sitemap:

http://www.useit.com...x/20020106.html

I like it too; I'm a sucker for color coded themed boxes for links.

[sheriw]

Not to disagree with Nielsen, but actually I do. I use site maps all the time when I visit larger sites, because it's a fast and easy way to find what I'm looking for. I suspect that a lot of sophisticated web surfers do the same. Why sit and hunt for the page you're looking for, when a good site map has it all beautifully laid out?
Just my two cents. And the examples given by Haystack are tops, I can't think of any better at the moment...
Sheri

[Scottie]

I use site maps as well... don't discount site maps as a means of navigation. You'd be surprised.

[idrive]

Gateway but I'm not sure why it's so vertical on the page towards the bottom :-)

[BrianR]

Thank you, all - that's very helpful.

But don't think I'm trying to close this topic - any further recommendations for good site maps will be gratefully received!

BrianR

[Webnauts]

Some further reading to this topic:

Sitemaps and Site Indexes: What They Are and Why You Should Have Them http://www.boxesanda...d_have_them.php

A Sitemap on Every Page http://www.webword.c...ts/sitemap.html

Preliminary Findings on the Use of Sitemaps http://psychology.wi...1w/Sitemaps.htm

Sitemap Design: Alphabetical or Categorical? http://psychology.wi.../1s/sitemap.htm

[Scottie]

Nice resources, Webnauts! Thanks!

[BrianR]

Webnauts

Thanks for supplying the additional sitemap resources - I shall read them at the weekend.

BrianR

[Webnauts]

Webnauts

Thanks for supplying the additional sitemap resources - I shall read them at the weekend.

BrianR

Great! If you still have any further questions, please feel free to post.

[Webnauts]

Not to disagree with Nielsen, but actually I do. I use site maps all the time when I visit larger sites, because it's a fast and easy way to find what I'm looking for. I suspect that a lot of sophisticated web surfers do the same. Why sit and hunt for the page you're looking for, when a good site map has it all beautifully laid out?
Just my two cents. And the examples given by Haystack are tops, I can't think of any better at the moment...
Sheri

I must agree with Sheri! I consider sitemaps very important.
Most web site search features I have tested, had the following problem:

When the web site shows only a few titles as a search result, users would sometimes accept this as the full result, whereas they would always search again using other methods when they got an empty search result.

The search engine are not be helpful when users query yield's a large number of results.

When users search for a certain word, they get all pages that contain that words. “Then there are way too many pages there. Most of them are not even the right ones.”

[Webnauts]

Nice resources, Webnauts!  Thanks!

Anytime!

[Webnauts]

Here is another great link about Site Maps!
Worth to have a look! http://www.promotion...=thread&order=0