Make website diagrams without a designer

A website structure diagram helps you plan a site’s purpose, organisation, and navigation.

For established websites, it can be used to test new navigation paths for users, re-organise existing web architecture, and try new layouts.

There are two main ways to create website sitemap diagrams - either manually (using tools like Microsoft Word or Excel) OR online using automated tools like WriteMaps.

How to manually design a website diagram

If you have some time to spare and want to exercise your design skills, you could choose to use this method to create your visual sitemap.

Here’s a guide that explains the process more comprehensively, but we’ll only share a simple breakdown of the key points:

1. Open a blank Microsoft Word or Excel file.
2. Choose your preferred shapes to represent the different types of web elements.
3. Organise your shapes in a hierarchical or pyramid diagram. The pillar pages such as home, services, and pricing should be at the top while the rest lie beneath them.
4. Use different formatting and styling elements like colour and shapes to create a visually appealing diagram.
5. Connect your objects/menus using connector lines.

How to use WriteMaps to create a website diagram

If you’re busy handling multiple projects for your clients, the last thing you want is to waste time trying to design a web diagram manually.

This is where WriteMaps’ website diagram builder comes in.

Here's a simple guide for creating a beautiful visual sitemap that speeds up your website discovery process.

1. Identify your site’s core purpose

Is your website meant to sell products, generate business leads, or provide information? Understanding this is key in determining the type of website diagram that best fits your business.

2. Use existing data

If you’re looking to remodel an existing website, it makes a lot of sense to use existing data to define the new web structure and content. For this step, review data from your analytics and heat map tools to understand how visitors interact with your current website.

3. Create a quick draft web diagram

You don’t have to overthink anything at this stage. After all, WriteMaps allows you to edit your website layout as many times as you wish while auto saving everything. Brainstorm the first few pages of your potential site and share it with the relevant stakeholders.

4. Collect and implement feedback

This is where your team and client share their thoughts and any ideas which they’d like incorporated into the final website diagram. For example, they could point out missed pages, suggest new categories, navigational elements, and anything else that enhances the site’s overall structure.

5. Add notes

Having collected valuable feedback, it’s time to begin development work. WriteMaps allows you to add page-specific notes which you can use to assign tasks to respective team members. You can also use this feature to provide guidelines on how each page should be developed and the content requirements to follow.