Search engine optimization is important for every site and there are certain fundamental principles that are easily adopted to enhance search engine ranking.

One of these is a site map that lists, at the bare minimum, every category or section of your site on one page.

Additional pages can be used also that further categorize your site so that all parts of and all "items" on your site can be linked to via a logical structure. The index / home page of the site should have a link directly to the site map so that search engine robots can follow the link to your site map and from there index all parts of your site.

But what is the primary aim of the site map? Is it for search engines only?

Some webmasters would have us believe so. Now consider this... if I visit a site and go to the site map I have done so to get a better idea of what the site has to offer because the navigation on the main page doesn't give me the overview I am looking for. Makes sense doesn't it?

What I don't want is to land on a site map and be told by the webmaster that this page is for search engines only and to go back to the main page to find my way around! That implies to me that the webmaster doesn't value either me or my time.

What I do what is a logical and clearly structured site map that will easily and quickly tell me what the site has to offer and the fastest way to get there.

If you design your site primarily for visitors whilst being mindful of search engine optimization you will have the best of both worlds - a site that will encourage visitors to return because of the thoughtful layout and ease of navigation and increased search engine indexing because the robots can easily find everything on your site.