All Good Web Design Starts with a Sitemap

The creation of a sitemap is a critical starting point for the design and development of a new website. It is an effective tool to help organize the content of the website, and the flow for how users of the site can quickly find the information they are looking for. A well-designed sitemap is based on looking at the existing website analytics, including bounce rate, landing pages, traffic flow, SEO, and any conversions (such as filling out a web form, subscribing to a newsletter, or making a purchase).

The sitemap is based on the organization’s goals and target audience(s).

Websites should have a clear goal and purpose, with intuitive navigation. Without this, there will be a poor user experience and the new website will be in disarray shortly after launch.

The planning process to create the sitemap will identify the priorities and the flow of the website content. It helps to get everyone on the same page and to ensure that the new website will be easy-to-use, accessible, and with a limited number of pages required to accomplish the goals.

A well-built sitemap ensures all the requirements and specifications for the new website are clearly detailed before starting the design and development. The sitemap also helps with an accurate budgeting of time, resources, and a streamlined schedule.

Published on: May 17, 2018