• Graphic map (immediately below)
• Linear map description
• Actual linear map

On a small web-site such as this, it is not really necessary to have such a map, but on larger sites where the structure may lead the user in many different directions it can act as a powerful navigation device. It is not necessary to create a pictorial map like this, which was made using Adobe Photoshop, and it can equally be represented as a text list of links. The important aspect of creating a map is making sure that all links connect to all pages in the site and also that the map has a link on each of those pages for the user to return to. As a result of this, no page in the web-site is more than two clicks away.

For examples of my other maps on bigger sites see:

Project ELLSA:

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An example of this map (updated) transferred into a linear list

It is not necessary to be able to create a visual map like the one above (done in Photoshop), especially if you don't have the facilities or have never used a graphic design programme before. A good example of how this can be transferred into a linear list that acts in the same way is below. The important point to remember, is that you have to have a reciprocal link on every page of your site that connects back to the map. That way the user is never more than two clicks away from any page in your web site. Also note (by the parentheses in the sub heading above) that this type of map is much easier to edit than the Photoshop version.

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Key

• (R) = reciprocal link to map
• (L) = item in anchored list within the reciprocal page link
• (EA) = external UWA link, no return link
• (EX) = external link, no return link
• For (EA) & (EX) use back button on browser.

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