Importance of Visual Sitemap in Information Architecture
The visual sitemap is a hierarchical diagram that shows the information architecture of a website.
This is a very basic piece of information but absolutely necessary for any application. It gives you the visual representation of the application in the first place to start with. However, a visual sitemap is subject to change in the later phases. During the user analysis, you might want to change some of the structures for a better experience and that is absolutely fine.
Once the basic visual sitemap is ready it will be easy for your team to understand when you set the expectation in the initial phase of design and development.
Why visual sitemap is so important?
The fundamental of any web application's user experience starts with well-structured information architecture. And a visual sitemap helps to identify where the information will sit, shows the relationship between different interfaces, navigation structure of the user interfaces, and last but not least, it evaluates every design decision and aligns to the goal of the application.
Sign proof of concept for everyone
Web application design and development involves a group of different people with different skills. Starts with stakeholders, business analysts, designers, UX specialists, front-end developers, back-end developers, and quality engineers. Different people with different skills make it harder to understand the logical relationship between the interfaces. Please remember, that a visual sitemap is the first tangible document of your web application.
What does a complex web application sitemap look like?
Here is an example of a visual sitemap of a complex web application. Basically, a lease broker closes his deals with an asset leasing firm. A web portal for the broker will help him to file and manage his customer's deals (Lease Applications)
What tools do you use to create a visual sitemap?
There are many advanced visual tools available nowadays. However, here tools do not play a major role. You can start with plain paper and a pencil.
Likewise, the above visual sitemap is designed using Microsoft Visio. Microsoft Visio is a diagramming and vector graphics application and is part of the Microsoft Office family. The product was first introduced in 1992, made by the Shapeware Corporation, and later renamed Visio Corporation. It was acquired by Microsoft in 2000. This tool is quality old and it is from Microsoft so its compatibility with other Microsoft products is better.
And one of my favorites to kick start is Microsoft Excel. The above visual site map was first created on an excel file. Here is an example...
Constantly Update and Maintain
No matter what tool you use to create your visual sitemap as part of your information architect exercise, but is absolutely necessary to constantly update and maintain the latest version of the visual sitemap as and when you progress with your UX studies. One major reason to cut the duplicate clutter in a web application is to have a well-structured visual sitemap. A visual sitemap is like a roadmap of your product. When you follow it will lead you to the right destination.
