Site Map

simple or complex?

[shallow]

I have a site map that lists just about every subject in my site. I read somewhere that a site map should be as simple as possible but don't recall why. It is more like a comprehensive index at the back of a reference book and has about 10 main headings and sub-topics under each.

Is there a *compelling* reason I should simplify it?

[JAB Creations]

My site is setup as so...
Site Name - Section - Area - Page

Level reference...
Level 1 - Level 2 - Level 3 - Level 4

*Note - Level 1 is my domain's .com page as I have several level 2 "sections". Many domains may only count my "sections" as a single section and thus my level 3 would be their level 2 and my level 4 would be their level 3.

The new version (which is not yet live) uses pure CSS drop down menus formatted as an unordered list.

This way users can get to all sections and areas. Some pages are accessible except when they are absolutely numerous.

However in my scenario numerous pages would have very specific content (versus general level content on higher leveled pages).

SERP plus well flowing pages that allow users to find what they desire will allow your visitors to easily find any pages regardless of the level of their depth.

I have found trying to use all the elements as correctly and mathematically as possible has revealed much greater structure in the language (XHTML in my case) then I was previously aware. This allowed me to understand how to better structure my site.

So ultimately I would suggest creating a menu or some sorts (even if it's a plain UL without CSS formatting) to give you a general sense of what you feel requires links on all pages and figure out when it is appropriate to put deeper links on other pages. Not sure how well this will work for you but that is how I figured my own site map in a sense.

John