A visual representation of the overall structure and page hierarchy of a website.
On the website, the site map is usually an indented list of page names that are links to those pages. You can use the site map to navigate the site without using the main menu.
As well as helping a website's readers, a site map makes it easier for search engine spiders to find the pages, which in turn improves SEO.
Site maps are an important tool during the planning and development a website. Documentation such as functional specifications often present them in an organisation chart format.
Website planners create a site map that takes into account site objectives, content, user goals and user mental models of how the site should work. Web developers can then use the site map to help them estimate costs and to guide them when they are creating the site.
