An effective sitemap is integral to the success of your website. Users should have the freedom to navigate, perform actions and recover from mistakes without being penalized by cumbersome infrastructure and content.
Tips for naming pages
Here are some best practices that you can follow when naming the pages in your sitemap:
- Focus on the services and deliverables that a visitor is looking for instead of internal responsibilities (e.g., "Dog Licences" is a stronger name than "Dog Licensing")
- Use simple titles and category names that are familiar to visitors and provide context (e.g., "Trash and Recycling" is much stronger than "Waste Management")
- Page names should stand on their own, which improves recognition, searchability and Search Engine Optimization (e.g., "Register for a Recreation Program" is much stronger than "Registration")
- Avoid using overly branded terms and internal jargon when naming pages
Try to think about what the public is searching for and what terms they are using. This can help guide you when naming pages on your website.
Services vs. audience vs. internal navigation
When you are selecting the main menu options for your new website, we recommend following a service-based approach. Most users who are visiting your website are looking for specific information about accessing one of the programs or services offered by your organization. Navigation that is focused on the audience or internal structure can break down quickly and cause serious navigation issues for many users.
