Like many people, I have mixed feelings about going to IKEA.
I love the stylish Swedish sofas and cleverly designed Euro storage systems—but I loathe the store layout. Last week, I popped in to replace a picture frame and ended up completely lost somewhere between the lighting section and a giant wall of cushions.
I’m convinced it’s all part of the strategy: get people disoriented and they’ll walk out with a pasta strainer, a new rug, and a set of wine glasses they didn’t need.
Building a website without a sitemap can be like a visit to IKEA.
You wander in with good intentions, but without a clear structure, you get lost in the options, forget something important, end up doubling back or getting stuff you don’t need. Sometimes all in one visit!
So, What Is a Sitemap?
A sitemap is a simple outline of all the pages on your website and how they connect. Think of it as a blueprint—it shows what goes where, what content needs to be created, and how users will move through your site.
There are two types:
- Visual Sitemap (for planning) – A diagram that shows your site structure before anything is designed or built.
- XML Sitemap (for search engines) – A behind-the-scenes file that helps Google find and index your pages.
Right now, we’re talking about the first one—the visual planning tool that helps you build your site properly from the start.
Why a Sitemap Matters
A good sitemap gives your website clarity, direction, and purpose before you touch a single pixel or write a word of copy. Here’s why it matters:
- It gives you a clear path – You’ll know exactly what pages you need and how they’re connected. No guesswork. No backtracking.
- It helps with content planning – Need a Services page? Testimonials? A Booking form? Your sitemap outlines what needs to be written, designed, or filmed.
- It aligns your team (and your designer) – Whether you’re working with a developer, copywriter, or designer, everyone’s working from the same plan.
- It sets you up for better SEO – A clear site structure helps users navigate easily—and makes it easier for Google to crawl and rank your content.
What Should Go In Your Sitemap?
It depends on your business, but here’s a basic starting point for a service-based website:
- Home
- About
- Services
- Service 1
- Service 2
- Service 3
- Projects or Case Studies
- Blog or Resources
- Contact
Start simple and expand as your needs grow.
The Bottom Line
Building a website without a sitemap is like building a house without a floor plan. You’ll waste time, blow your budget, and end up with something that doesn’t quite work.
A sitemap gives you clarity, helps you prioritise the right content, and makes sure your site works for both users and search engines.
Ready to map out your perfect website?
Book your a free website consultation today. Or you can simply reply to this email and we will be in touch with you.