How to Create a UX Sitemap Step-by-Step
Currently, sitemaps are very essential and resource since they outline the grouping as well as the hierarchy of pages and contents on the website or product design. The sitemap may be simple, showing only the key features and content, however, some may be well developed in that it displays the wireframe formatting of each page in addition to the grouping of the pages and content. By the end of this article, you will be well conversant with the best tool to use in creating a UX sitemap and how to use the tool to bring out the best results. Additionally, we will also outline some of the best UX sitemap examples that you can easily relate to.
PART 1: The Best Tool for UX Design
Select the best tool and you will have no trouble creating a sitemap UX. All the programs and tools in the market have their strength and weakness. Some of them are best designed for sketching, some prototyping, some mockups, wireframes, and sitemaps. Getting to know the best tool to use at a glance can be difficult, however, we have already done that for you and filtered out the best program. Wondershare Mockitt is a simple but powerful tool. Unlike most of the software, it is a multipurpose tool that can be used to create wireframes and prototypes in addition to UX Sitemap. The simplicity of the program’s interface makes it easy to use the tool in designing.
Here are some of the key features of this tool ;
- It is a cross-platform tool-supported and accessible from Windows and macOS computers as well as Android and mac mobile devices.
- Real-time collaboration is one of the amazing features of this tool. It allows you to add members of the team in your project design for easy and quick feedbacks.
- The program allows you to export the finished design as an image and in varying image resolutions.
- Its library has abundant UX elements and templates that can be employed in creating sitemaps UX.
- This tool has an autosave feature that saves the progress of your project automatically even after you have forgotten to manually save the progress.
- The supported cloud service allows you to access your project anytime, anywhere, and from any device.
PART 2: How to Make UX Sitemap Step-by-Step
Now that you are aware of features and strengths of Wondershare Mockitt as a tool that can be used to create UX and UI sitemap, then now let’s take a look at the steps to be followed to create a Sitemap.
Step 1: Account Setup
Visit its official website and enter your credentials to log in to your account. Besides, you can easily create a new account of the tool if it is your first time using the program.
Step 2: Creating a new Project
Click on the Create Project tab on the software’s homepage. Tap on the Blank Project button on the top left corner of the screen. This option is mainly used when you wish to begin designing your UX Sitemap. The alternative option is clicking on the Create Project from the Demos and where you can use some of the templates in the library.
Step 3: Project Title and Size
Type the title of your project in the text box below, select the desired device, and finally specify the size of your project at the bottom of the page. Click on the Save button once you are done.
Step 4: Adding Elements to the UX Sitemap
Simply add widgets and icons from the Fast Widget library on the left side of the window by dragging and dropping them on the Canvas. More so, you can edit or customize new widgets in the Inspector panel.
Step 5: Linking Screens
Click on an element in the Canvas followed by a tap on the New Link button positioned on the top right corner of the screen and in the Link panel. After tapping on the New link button, now select the target screen, gesture, or animation.
Step 6: Adding Annotations
Go to the tool ’s Widget library and click on the Sticky button. This will allow you to add notes and annotations on the site map UX design.
PART 3: Top 5 UX Sitemap Examples
1.Online Bookstore
This is a sitemap containing a series of templates and pages arranged in a systematic order and mimicking how the website would be. The templates show how the user will be interacting with the program showing each of the steps and the pages that will precede the first click or page. Varying page color may be used to indicate different levels. This even makes it easier during presentation since the pages are visually scannable.
2.Task Management
This is a unique UX sitemap with both a static webpage as well as an authentication one. In most of the task management sitemaps, the content of the webpage may vary depending on whether the user is logged in into the account. The user enjoys many more benefits and features after they log in. The position to place the authentication portals and how they will be visually displayed may generate a discussion with the user.
3.Apple Visual Sitemap
Often, Apple company publishes a text sitemap on their official website displaying various sections of their website. They may show the entire sections of the website, however, in most cases, they only show a part of the website sitemap. For instance, they may show the services section by the website; the pages within the service, and arranged systematically on how they follow each other.
4.Library Sitemap
Creating a library sitemap is an awesome experience since you will be creating a navigable experience for the users. The library sitemap may not exactly display the user’s journey within the website, but in most cases, it shows the grouping of pages and content as they would appear in the library.
5.Website Wireframe Sitemaps
Wireframe sitemaps stand out as one of the best sitemaps. This kind of sitemap will not only show you the hierarchy and grouping of pages and content but also the formatting of each page. Displaying the format of the pages not only makes the sitemap more appealing but also adds review and feedback. The wireframe of each page may simply be composed of boxes and text or contain more intricate illustrations.
