A site map is a graphical representation of the architecture of a web site. It can be either a document in any form used as a planning tool for web design, or a web page that lists the pages on a web site, typically organized in hierarchical fashion. This helps visitors and search engine bots find pages on the site.
While some developers argue that site index is a more appropriately used term to relay page function, web visitors are used to seeing each term and generally associate both as one and the same. However, a site index is often used to mean an A-Z index that provides access to particular content, while a site map provides a general top-down view of the overall site contents. -Wikipedia.org
Have you ever seen it? Of course, yes, because almost all web-pages in the Internet has got it. What about me, when I firstly saw a site map I was wondered: why and what for it was made. Nowadays it’s already not a question. Site maps are inalienable parts of usable Web sites. Site maps help visitors to find exactly needed information on your web-page clicking on hyperlink from a list. They provide users with an overview of content of a web-resource and makes it easy for your visitors to find needed products or services.
But the most important role of a site map is its great support in Search Engine Optimization. That is:
- All pages (I mean hyperlinks of these pages) included in site map will be indexed by search engines’ web crawlers and your web-page will be successfully registered in Search Engines. It is a real competitive edge if potential customers find exactly your web-site while looking for needed information at Search Engines.
- Keywords are included in hyperlinks and this is an additional factor, which makes rank of your page higher and it'll will appear in a list of search results on first pages. Now customers find your web-store on Google or Yahoo more quickly and without any problem!
Have you ever tried to create and update a site map by hand? Creation of a site map is easy… if your web-site has only 10 pages, but if there are 50, 100 and even more pages… It can take lots of time and efforts. All of this you can save using software for creating site maps.
Your site map has to be professional for 100%! And a software will do it exactly such way! Here is one of the best – Site Map Module for all sopping carts. It is a very powerful and flexible module for dynamic site map generation. It’s very efficient, reliable and cost effective solution. With help of this module you will achieve two important goals: your visitors will navigate your web-shop easily and fast, creation of a site map will give the best search results for your online shop.
Here are just few features of the Site Map Module:
- very easy installation - start using it in 5 minutes
- ability to restrict depth of categories and products to be shown in generated site map
- you can add unlimited number of custom links
- advanced Admin Section available for advanced users
- supports SEO links (must have enabled for excellent results)
There are modules for all shopping carts http://www.magneticone.com/store/oscommerce.modules/site.map.for.oscommerce...oscommerce.module
The modules will create a complete, professional and effective site maps for you in few minutes. You and your visitors will be for sure satisfied! Download a trial version and try it: http://www.magneticone.com/store/trial_license.php
Related Articles
Six Tips To Help You Set Up A Sitemap
By: Kevin Sinclair | 26/04/2008 | SEM
Just like a book has a page showing its contents, a website has a map of what's on its site and this is called a sitemap. It lists all of the pages within the website, and acts as a guide for visitors to navigate to where they want to be and search engine robots to find particular pages of the website.
Oscommerce Modules: How to Improve your Site Quickly and Effectively
By: Martin Wann | 29/10/2007 | ECommerce
Many useful modules for osCommerce has been developed to help you in this regard including shipping and payment modules and numerous general function modules designed to enhance the functionality of your store. Easy and intuitive osCommerce modules is time saving solution for you.
Social Bookmarking for your E-business
By: Martin Wann | 29/10/2007 | ECommerce
Social bookmarking is a powerful tool in promoting your web store. The more people bookmark you shop, the more value it will get for search engines and the higher rank it has. It also gives your site more exposure.
Yahoo! Site Map: A Useful Internet Marketing Tool
By: Jeremiah Patton | 07/12/2005 | SEO
A website refers to a compilation of Web pages that can be typically accessed through a software package, commonly known as a Web browser (one example is the HTTP on the Internet). These pages, which are essentially documents that are in the HTML or XHTM
Sitemaps Benefit Viewers
By: Paul J Coulter | 07/06/2007 | Internet
Search engine ranking is perhaps the most important element that determines a website's success. The key to getting your website to appear in the search engine results starts with getting your website's pages indexed. By indexed, I mean allowing the Google robot to visit and scan each page on your...
Sitemaps 101 - Benefits of and Tips on Designing a Sitemap
By: Jeremiah Patton | 07/12/2005 | SEO
Have you ever wondered how a search engine works? It must be fascinating figuring out how this search tool could direct you to several websites that are relevant to your keywords. Or, have you experienced instances where the link that supposedly contains
The Importance of Sitemaps
By: Anson Linwood | 05/09/2007 | Information Technology
A sitemap is often neglected in the process of building a website. Here are 4 reasons why a sitemap is important for your website-
Sitemap Creator Tips
By: Jeremiah Patton | 09/12/2005 | SEO
An important tip to remember every now and then is that people visit the site checking out for some information. These Surfers can be an unforgiving lot. Once they found things useful for them in a site they would definitely visit every now and then.
Got a Question? Ask.
Ask the community a question about this article:
Frequently Asked Questions
4
By: grazi | 03-08-2006
4
Q&A Powered by:
Latest ECommerce Articles
Choosing the Best E-commerce Software for Your Business
By: Andy West | 25/07/2008
The quality of your e-commerce software can have a major impact on how successful your online store is. Here are some important features to look for when choosing the best e-commerce software for your business.
4 Reasons Why You Need Back-End Marketing For Your Business
By: Roy Chan | 24/07/2008
You are leaving money on the table if you have not adopted backend marketing in your business. Your competitors are looking at your back and can easily take over your business share if you don't change fast.
Increasing Video Views
By: Robert | 24/07/2008
Video marketing is well and truly a powerful weapon when used appropriately. The important thing to bear in mind is that only uploading your video to web 2.0 site is not sufficient. You really need to push it using social bookmarking, get your video featured with software like video propeller and also try to acquire as many comments as you can
The Costs of Credit Card Processing Means Happy E-shoppers
By: Jim Osterman | 24/07/2008
Yes merchant services cost money, but not having them could cost an online merchant more.
Selling Products on Ebay is Easier
By: Dyba Syed | 24/07/2008
Today’s generation or the NEXT GENERATION as it is normally referred to is a vast community of intellectual individuals who choose to lead their life from the front
The History of Web Design in a Nutshell
By: Paul Edison | 23/07/2008
The Internet was created in the 1960s as a way to transfer data between computers via telephone lines. By the late 1980s, the Internet was being introduced as a means of communication for anyone with a computer, modem and telephone line. Web design has been divided into "generations." Today's websites are considered the fourth generation.
The Evolution of the Online Storefront
By: Andy West | 23/07/2008
Online stores have come a long ways from the mid-nineties, when major companies such as Amazon and eBay entered the playing field.
Tag Formula 1
By: David Ansell | 23/07/2008
Tag Heuer sell many different types of watches but none as great as the Tag Formula 1.
More from Martin Wann
Individual Attractive Offers for Each Customer – the Right Way to Increase your Sales!
By: Martin Wann | 08/01/2008 | ECommerce
This article is about new effective way to increase sales of your online store -new effective idea for your business.
Shopping.com, Shopzilla.com, Yahoo Shopping, Kelkoo, Mysimon, Nextag, Price Grabber - All-in-one
By: Martin Wann | 17/12/2007 | ECommerce
As an online merchant, you are interested in increasing your sales. A marketing channel like Comparison Shopping sites are very useful for this. Their main goal is making the task of selling and buying products easier...
Event Designer Oscommerce Module: Save Time Managing your Store
By: Martin Wann | 17/12/2007 | ECommerce
When you open a new web site, you can easily see either it is alive and regularly updated or not. You know that you can feel it very quickly. If an online store stopped developing and updating, it'll look very suspicious for a potential customer. Be sure, there will be no comebacks. News, best offers, customers’ feedbacks, online consultants and greetings with current holidays – all these things make a web store alive...
Store Manager for Cre Loaded
By: Martin Wann | 31/10/2007 | ECommerce
Whether you are a novice at e-business or a pro you want your online store works for you rather than you work for your store. For making management of your e-shop effectively you are looking for a software, which can help you in that regard. Store Manager for CRE Loaded is the best software for your e-commerce needs.
The Best Store Manager for X-cart
By: Martin Wann | 31/10/2007 | ECommerce
X-Cart is one of the most popular shopping cart on the web. It offers unlimited categories, products and product-options, registered and unregistered shopping cart, customizable tax options, multiple shipping and payment modules, special prices, banner management, and much more options. How to manage all of this effectively and quickly? Use Store Manager for X-Cart by MagneticOne!
Improve Performance of your Oscommerce-powered Online Store
By: Martin Wann | 30/10/2007 | ECommerce
Do you know that customers don’t wait for loading a web-page more than 5 seconds – they just leave it. And they do not trust to an online store if it is slow. Frankly speaking, long loading just irritates them.
A Helpful RSS Module for Oscommerce Online Stores
By: Martin Wann | 30/10/2007 | ECommerce
I guess if you read it, my friend, you have doubts about RSS: do I really need to use it? Let’s try to find out it together.
Software to Manage your Online Store
By: Martin Wann | 30/10/2007 | ECommerce
Store Manager for osCommerce is very easy and intuitive software and can be effectively used by NON-IT professionals. Everything you need for your effective and easy work with products, customers, orders, pricing and other store data is there – is in the software.
Internet 
