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Hedden Information Management

Web Site Indexing

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What is a Web Site Index

A web site alphabetical index, sometimes called an A-Z index to differentiate it from other “indexes,” enables site visitors to quickly locate precise information within medium-sized web sites and intranets, just as an index at the back of the book does.

While automated search engines are perhaps more practical on very large sites with constantly changing information, the results are often unsatisfactory. The search engines usually pick up pages with the mere inclusion of the searched word in it, even if that is not what the page is about. The exact searched word must be found in the text, not a synonym that the user might type in. Finally, the search engine often returns a tremendous number of matches, and there is no way to limit the results.

Human-created alphabetical indexes, on the other hand, index for concepts and main ideas, not word matches. All possible synonyms or variant phrases are entries in the index, so that multiple ways of wording a concept all point to the same result. To keep the index from becoming too long, cross-references may also be used. Finally, the index has at least two levels of entries, and each entry points to just one place in the web site, so there are no multiple results to sort through.

Site maps, hierarchical outlines of a web site, are very useful for navigating a web site. However, the site map entries typically point to entire pages, and not information within a page as indexes do. Site maps also, like search engines, only permit one name for each page, whereas an index allows for any wording that a user might think up. Just as a site map is like a table of contents or an outline for a manual or book, the web site index is like the index at the back of the book. And, like good back-of-the-book indexes, good web site indexes are written by professionally trained indexers, not any web writers and are not automatically generated.

Hedden Information Management brings together the combination of expertise in professional indexing and HTML/web technology to create high-quality web site indexes.

Learn more about web site indexes on the site of the Web Indexing SIG of the American Society for Indexing.

How We Create Web Site Indexes

We can take the site files submitted on a CD or use a software tool to download an entire web site, retaining its hierarchical structure, to our computers. Then we use another tool, HTML Indexer, that aids in the indexing process by automatically remembering the URL of each page or the URL plus named anchor within a page.

Unlike book indexing, web site indexing can be more precise in its locators by enabling the index entries to point not just to pages, but to named anchors within pages. We take advantage of any anchors already in a web page. If none exist, we may recommend the addition of select anchors. We can either add the anchors ourselves or request that you do it. The possible addition of anchors is the only modification required to the existing web pages.

We submit the index as a single HTML page to be added to your site. For formatting the index, we offer the choice of providing an additional style sheet, or merely adding a series of non-breaking spaces to indent the sub-entries. You may then add any additional styles, formatting, headers, and navigation elements to the page so that it conforms with the rest of your site.

For directory web sites, we can also produce an index of external URL links.

Rates

We offer the option of an hourly or piece rate. While book indexing tends to charge a per-page rate, ranging anywhere from $2.00 to $10.00 per page, the varied length and amount of content within web pages, makes a page rate impractical. Therefore, we charge a predictable rate per index entry (including sub-entries).

We are currently offering an introductory rate of $0.75 per index entry, with a $150 minimum.

Turnaround-time for small-medium web sites of under 50 pages is usually three to five business days. Advanced scheduling will help expedite the process.

A long-term contract for keeping the index updated can also be arranged. Alternatively, we can prepare customized guidelines for maintaining the index yourself.

Sample Web Site Indexes by Hedden Information Management

Gleason Public Library	Boston-IA
Carlisle Public Schools

“Heather,
You have done a tremendous job here! I can’t thank you enough. I have posted both from the main page. I think I can maintain both indexes (thank you for the instructions). I will keep you informed of any feedback I receive. Thank you again – this is great!”
--C.M., client