Are you looking for a tutorial on how to lay tiles, a comparison of drills, or a guide on the right materials to renovate a bathroom? You land on a DIY site, and there’s nothing: the main menu lists a dozen sections, the search bar returns vague results, and you waste time clicking randomly. The sitemap, this often-overlooked page, solves exactly this problem. It displays all the content of the site, categorized, with a direct link to each page.
HTML Sitemap and XML Sitemap: Two Tools Not to Be Confused
Before discussing navigation, a technical distinction needs to be made. The term “sitemap” refers to two very different things depending on the context.
The XML sitemap is a file intended for search engines. Google, Bing, and other indexing bots read it to discover the pages of a site. A human visitor never accesses it directly: it is a technical document, unreadable without a tool.
The HTML sitemap, on the other hand, is a standard web page. It lists all the sections and articles of the site in the form of clickable links, organized hierarchically. This is the page that interests you when navigating a DIY site. By browsing the sitemap of Ben Le Bricoleur, for example, you can see at a glance all the guides, practical sheets, and available categories, without going through a dropdown menu or typing keywords.
On a content-rich site (tool sheets, wood projects, bathroom tips, DIY courses), the HTML sitemap becomes a valuable shortcut. It replaces exploratory navigation with a structured overview.
Web Accessibility and Sitemap: A Concrete Regulatory Requirement
Most DIY sites present their sitemap as a simple bonus, a discreet link at the bottom of the page. From a regulatory perspective, the reality is different.
The WCAG 2.2, published in October 2023 and already used as a reference in accessibility audits in 2025-2026, imposes a specific criterion: criterion 2.4.5 “Multiple Ways”. This criterion requires that a user can access any page through at least two distinct paths. The official documentation explicitly cites the HTML sitemap (technique G63) as one of the recognized means to meet this requirement.
In practical terms, a site that does not offer an HTML sitemap accessible from all pages risks non-compliance with WCAG 2.2 AA. Depending on the country, this can have legal consequences, particularly regarding digital accessibility obligations.
For a DIY site targeting a broad audience (hobbyists, seniors, occasional DIYers), this requirement makes sense. The main navigation, even if well-designed, does not suit all profiles. The sitemap offers a clear, linear alternative, readable by assistive technologies.
Navigating a DIY Site with the Sitemap: Practical Cases
You understand the principle. Now let’s see how to use a sitemap to quickly find what you’re looking for in three common situations.
Finding a Tutorial on a Specific Material
You want to work with wood to make a shelf. The site’s menu offers a “Projects” section, but it mixes plumbing, electricity, and carpentry. By opening the sitemap, you immediately spot the sub-category “Wood” or “Carpentry” and access the complete list of dedicated sheets.
Comparing Equipment and Tools
You’re hesitating between two types of saws. The search bar returns dozens of mixed results. The sitemap, however, groups the pages by theme. You can identify in seconds the comparisons, buying guides, and product sheets that match your needs.
Accessing Services and Practical Information
Some DIY sites offer workshop courses, cutting services, or material delivery. These pages are rarely highlighted in the main navigation. The sitemap makes them visible, on the same level as editorial content.
Recognizing a Good DIY Sitemap: Quality Criteria
Not all sitemaps are created equal. Some are just raw lists, while others are structured to genuinely facilitate navigation. Here’s what distinguishes a useful sitemap from a cosmetic one:
- Organization by clear categories: the sections follow the logic of the DIYer (tools, materials, projects, bathrooms, workshop) rather than that of the CMS or webmaster
- Explicit page titles: “Choosing a Circular Saw” is more useful than “Article 247”. The visitor should understand the content of the page before clicking
- Regular updates: a sitemap that does not include the latest published articles loses its usefulness. On an active site, new sheets and news should appear quickly
- Visible access from the footer or main menu, not just from a hidden URL
A sitemap that meets these criteria becomes a true navigation tool, not just a technical artifact.
When the Sitemap Replaces Internal Search
The search bar of a DIY site works well when you know exactly what you’re looking for. Typing “Bosch 18V drill” gives a precise result. However, if your need is more vague (“I want to set up my workshop,” “what tips for a first renovation”), internal search quickly shows its limits.
The sitemap is more effective for exploring a site without a specific query. It allows you to browse all content by theme, discover pages you would never have found otherwise, and understand the editorial logic of the site.
This complementarity between search and sitemap corresponds exactly to the “Multiple Ways” criterion of the WCAG 2.2. This is not a coincidence: the two navigation modes respond to distinct user behaviors.
- Internal search: the user knows what they want and knows the keywords
- Main menu: the user explores a broad category
- Sitemap: the user wants an overview or is looking for a page they cannot find in the menu
A well-designed DIY site offers these three paths. The sitemap remains the only one that displays all content on a single page, without filters or relevance algorithms.
The next time you land on a DIY site without finding what you’re looking for, scroll down to the footer. The link to the sitemap is almost always there. It’s often the shortest path to the right page.
