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-
There are exceptions to the general rule of a website having a structured and logical
design??”notably sites that are experimental in nature or the equivalent of online art,
thereby requiring exploration. In these cases, it may actually be detrimental to present
a straightforward and totally logical site, but these cases are strictly a minority.
THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO CSS AND HTML WEB DESIGN
24
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.
Pages:
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83