Site Maps - Your Web Site's Best Friend

Site maps, a one-page index to all your web pages, is one of the easiest features to add to your web site.  This handy reference tool is an absolute must have for all but the smallest of web sites.

One of a site map's main functions is to increase the useability and accessibility of your site.  There are many times that I become frustrated when searching for information on a web site.  If there is no site search box available, then I immediately look for a site map. 

A properly constructed site map will group your web pages into coherent sections and then provide a descriptive link to each of your web pages.

The other main function of a site map is to help the Search Engines find and index your web pages.  Here you have an excellent opportunity to create valuable, keyword rich links to your site's web pages. 

Here are some tips on using site maps:

1. Be sure to include a link to your site map on every web page.  Add this link to your header or footer section.
2. Your site map should not have more than 50 links.  If you have a very large site, then you may have to create a multi-level site map similar to the Yahoo directory.
3. Be as descriptive as possible in the link text and include your main keywords.

The first stumbling block people run into is "what should my site map look like?"  Site Map Pro  has a page offering many site map layouts.  You can also do a Google search for "site map" and take a look at how other web sites design their maps.  Look though them and decide which is best for your site.

Finally, for those of you who are HTML challenged, here are a couple of links to free software products that can produce a site map for you.

eXactMapper Lite

AllWebMenus Create Site Map