[Sigia-l] Site Map/Index - as Site Element

[Lyle_Kantrovich at cargill.com]

Hey Katie,

Here's my 2 cents:  

I don't think that site maps add a lot of value for most sites - they 
generally look like the same navigational items that already exist in a 
site's navigation (first and second levels), just laid out differently.  
They might help a bit if the visual and/or interaction design used on a 
site's navigation is a bit "too creative."  

I DO think site indices can add value. If done well, they can represent 
concepts in multiple ways.  E.g. let's say your site reflects a 
customer's way of viewing "the world" - a site index might include items 
that reflect the views (language) of suppliers, or employees, or 
media...

Good site indices can be quite difficult to create.  The concept is 
simple, but creating one for a large site can be a lot more work than 
you'd think.

We should get together sometime to chat - haven't talked to you in a 
while.

Lyle

----
Lyle Kantrovich
User Experience Architect
Cargill 
http://www.cargill.com/

Croc O' Lyle - Personal Commentary on usability, information 
architecture and design.
http://crocolyle.blogspot.com/


-----Original Message-----
From: kcoleware at hotmail.com [mailto:kcoleware at hotmail.com]
Sent: Monday, March 14, 2005 10:01 AM
To: sigia-l at asis.org
Subject: [Sigia-l] Site Map/Index - as Site Element


Hi all -

I feel like this has been discussed, but I searched what archives I 
could 
and didn't see this particular focus.

I cut my IA teeth on the premise that with a good navigational 
structure, a 
site didn't need a site map or index as a site element. However, in 
doing 
some competitive site reviews on corporate sites, I'm finding that many 
have 
this feature. And that it seems a good way to give another birds-eye 
view of 
a company - not a replacement for bad navigation.

I'm wondering what others' thoughts are? We have proposed having a site 
map 
element to our client, but she feels it's too "90's" and that they are 
only 
necessary when the navigation is otherwise bad. She's willing to revisit 
the 
issue as we get further down the road with the site structure. I thought 
I 
would poll the list and see if I can get some support for adding a site 
map 
element.

thanks,
Katie


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