A few brief notes about site maps; pros and cons
This, and other ETIS site map webpages is a formality. Most books have a cover, a beginning, and an end. In today's business world, a site map is expected of as an element in a website that represents a respective company. However, a site map of the type commonly found on company websites, does not fully fit the business strategy of every company. The ETIS International group of websites has a business strategy. Site maps are more appropriate for companies and entities that have in context, their business functionality vitality independent from their website, or brochures, or TV commercials, such as, government departments, doctor's office, or renown bank. In these cases, the website and sitemap will enhance the entity, in aspects like customer access to their services. Using a site map to locate where exactly the webpage is on a bank's website to order new checks, benefits the user of the website. A 'shopping cart' feature on a website that only provides information, is virtually useless.
Con: For companies and entities that are using their website to market as many products advertised on the website as possible, giving direct indication of where specific products are, through the use of a site map, leaves the chance of the user of the website to bypass other products which might benefit the customer.
Here is a hypothetical scenario used as an illustration why a an ineffective sitemap can be a con. A prospective customer is interested in obtaining a cellular phone, and a new computer, for the purpose of obtaining a set of specific features, or tools, meet the demands of their business, or enabling him or herself to carry out certain tasks for their business. The customer then goes directly to the site map, locates the cellular phone products page, and the desktop PCs product page. The customer still is not happy. Had the website visitor seen the Smartphone selection, got introduced to the concept of combining features of cellular phones and computers, the customer would have found and accomplished what he or she was looking for.
A shopping platform designed that enables customers to see new possibilities, and advance technologies, that might work better for them is a viable business strategy, one that ETIS strives to maintain inculcated. A site map might detract from that business strategy, and, there lies the risk of people with barely any if at all integrity attempting to become a part of the competition, or fraudulently based business, to quickly copy an outline of the content of what the site develops, and launch their own.
ETISplan.com, has link tabs at the top of the page; and, a 'useful links' column to the right of most of the webpages, excepting redundancy. This accomplishes many of the same user interface needs of what a site map does. The site maps we provide are kept at a basic level. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.