Designing WWW site map systems

Providing an alternative visualisation of the structure of a web site can alleviate many of the usability problems associated with WWW navigation. Whilst site maps are one of the most popular tools utilised by site designers to overcome such problems, little is known about how to design effective site maps. This paper examines some underlying design issues relating to web site maps and then presents an implementation of an experimental site map system demonstrating the application of these principles. This `SiteTree´ system displays a hierarchical abstraction of the site, which provides basic filtering and visualisation controls, including novel “landmark” functionality. This paper provides a basis for future development of WWW site maps tools by clarifying existing research and identifying important design issues