A proposed website sitemap is a hierarchical blueprint that outlines the structure, organization, and relationship of every page on a planned website.
- Level 1: Home Page — The main entry point and hub of the website.
- Level 2: Core Sections — Main navigation categories (typically 5 to 9 items like About, Services/Products, Blog, and Contact).
- Level 3: Sub-sections & Details — Deeper pages nested under core categories (e.g., individual service pages, specific portfolio pieces, or blog post categories).
Types of Sitemaps
- Visual/HTML Sitemaps: Designed for human visitors to easily understand site navigation and layout.
- XML Sitemaps: Designed for search engines like Google and Bing to crawl and index content efficiently.
Steps to Propose and Build One
- Define Goals: Identify what the website needs to achieve (e.g., lead generation, sales, or portfolio display).
- Apply Miller's Law: Keep primary menu choices limited to 5–9 items so users do not feel overwhelmed.
- Draft the Layout: Use visual planning tools like Figma to create a clear digital diagram.
- Review with Stakeholders: Share the draft to get feedback and agreement before actual web design and development begin.
