What is the best method for segmenting HTML sitemaps?

[stevewiideman]

Sitemaps create a Table of Contents for web crawlers and users alike. Understanding how PageRank is passed, HTML sitemaps play a critical role in how Googlebot and other crawlers spider and catalog content.

I get asked this question a lot and, in most cases, it's easy to categorize sitemaps and create 2-3 category-based maps that can be linked to from the global footer. However, what do you do when a client has 40 categories with 200+ pages of content under each category? How do you segment your HTML sitemap in a case like this?

[RyanPurkey]

You might benefit form a visualization program as well like Visio, Mindjet, or Mindmiester to figure out some of the more intricate details. Also JoelHit's suggestion of using Apple.com as an example is a good one. Even though their main sitemap is smaller than what you're describing there are some subtle takeaways when looking at it as an example (http://www.apple.com/sitemap/).

1. All their top level categories are H2 tagged major categories of their site.
        a. "Apple Info" emphasizes the brand
        b. Mac, iPod, iPhone, iPad all emphasize product sales
        c. iTunes, Downloads, Support emphasize sales and an ongoing customer relationship.
2. Precedence is given to the core aspects of their business via their sitemap.
        a. As outlined above, this is elegant and functional.

Also, you'll certainly want to back up the work you do with an HTML sitemap with XML sitemaps for large scale sites and as Richard suggested register them all with Google Webmaster.

[Getz.pro]

With HTML or XML sitemaps you can link from one to another.

sitemap = Main sitemap [I would put the main sitemap on all upper level site pages (root, contact us, etc.]

sitemap-cat-01 which then links to all other sitemaps for that category [category sitemap on that category's page]

Then register the individual sitemaps with Google Webmaster.

I think I said that correctly, but it is way past my bedtime lol