Sitemap design... bullet point text vs. bold text

Sitemap design

[confused]

Question regarding sitemap & links. I have seem many expamples of large well ranking SEO'd sites including Yahoo and a very predominate real estate site that use sitemaps comprised of "bold" keyword text links and I have seen others using the same type of maps but instead of "bold" they use a "bullet" point with plain keyword text link.

Any thoughts / opinions as to what is best SEO option and will give most "weight" to the keyword text links?

[pageoneresults]

Hello confused, Welcome to WebmasterWorld!

If you look at the semantics of a site map, a well organized list is probably the best structure to use.

I've had some site maps that may look like this...

<h1>Site Map for www.example.com</h1>
Opening comments for the site map.
<h2>1st Primary Category - 1st Level</h2>
<ol>
<li>List Item 1</li>
<li>List Item 2</li>
<li>List Item 3</li>
</ol>
<h3>1st Primary Category - 2nd Level</h3>
<ol>
<li>List Item 1</li>
<li>List Item 2</li>
<li>List Item 3</li>
</ol>
<h2>2nd Primary Category - 1st Level</h2>
<ol>
<li>List Item 1</li>
<li>List Item 2</li>
<li>List Item 3</li>
</ol>
<h3>2nd Primary Category - 2nd Level</h3>
<ol>
<li>List Item 1</li>
<li>List Item 2</li>
<li>List Item 3</li>
</ol>

Get the picture? You may even end up nesting the various list elements for each of the 2nd, 3rd, 4th levels.

I like the <ol> (Ordered List) element for most site maps. It is much easier to navigate a numbered list on a very detailed page such as a site map.

[confused]

Hello Pageoneresults,

Thanks for the input... on the sitemap. I like your example and can see how that would work very well. You mentioned the numbered list. Do you feel that a numbered list link would have more weight than a bold text link?

[pageoneresults]

Do you feel that a numbered list link would have more weight than a bold text link?

I feel list elements are higher up in the food chain. Ordered, Unordered, Definition, etc. They all have their place in a well structured website.

How much more weight does bold have over normal? I'm not sure. I do know that I achieve better results when using the proper html elements both visually and semantically to convey information.

I use <ol> on most site maps as they are used as a means of communication with the client. It is much easier for me to have them bookmark their site map and then tell them to go to section IV and link number 4. There are also other advantages from a user perspective, those who find their way to the site map. ;)

[confused]

Thanks again... as always design for the user not the SE.