Located: research topics > web navigation

Site maps as a tool to aid usability

Author: Drue Miller (1999)

Abstract: Drue Miller's web site looks at a number of styles of site navigation tools, including site maps. The range of styles identified poses one or two interesting questions.

Site structures can have a number of different styles: Linear (unidirectional or bidirectional), Flat (kitchen sink ­ or reach everything at once), Hierarchical (breadth and depth), Path based ­ dynamically generated, Random

Site maps take on a number of key forms:, Alphabetical lists, Hierarchical (as a text outline), Hierarchical (flow chart style, showing site structure), Grouped by section but not showing depth, Arranged by task or function, Spatially, Multiple selection view criteria. If the purpose of a site map is as a shortcut, a feedback tool or both, which of these forms would be most functional?