Why Designers Should Start with a Sitemap

Let me guess — you’ve opened up Webflow or Figma, brimming with ideas for your next project. Maybe it's a freelance gig, a startup website, or your personal portfolio. You pick a layout, throw in some components, maybe even style a few sections… and then you hit a wall.

You’re unsure what page comes next. The client keeps asking where their “About” page is. The menu doesn’t quite make sense. The site looks nice, but something’s off — there’s no structure. That’s the pain of working without a sitemap — and it’s more common than you think, especially among junior designers, freelancers, and small Webflow teams.

We all have been there. Skipping the sitemap step feels faster in the beginning, but it almost always leads to rework, confusion, and misaligned expectations later. A well-structured sitemap is your blueprint. It doesn’t just tell you what to design — it tells you why and in what order.

And here’s the good news, creating a sitemap doesn’t have to be boring or slow. With tools like Modulify’s AI sitemap generator, planning your site architecture becomes a creative, guided process. You get a visual sitemap in seconds, and you can start designing with confidence, knowing the foundation is rock solid.

In this article, we’ll explore:

• What a sitemap actually is — and what it isn’t
• Why it matters more than you think
• How to get started (even if you’ve never made one)
• And how Modulify’s AI can save you hours and improve your workflow

Whether you're designing your first Webflow project or juggling multiple client sites, this guide is for you.

What Is a Sitemap in Web Design? 

Let’s clear something up right away, when most people hear “sitemap,” they think of those XML files submitted to Google for indexing. That’s important — but it’s not what we’re talking about here.

In the design context, a visual sitemap is a high-level diagram of your website’s structure. It shows the hierarchy of pages — what comes first, what’s nested under what, and how everything connects. Think of it as a flowchart of your website’s content and navigation.

Why is this so important?

Whether you're working solo or inside a design team, a sitemap:

• Creates clarity before you start designing
• Helps clients understand and approve the structure
• Guides your wireframes and CMS setup in Webflow
• Reduces feedback cycles later in the project
• Ensures your content supports the business goals

Even for a small portfolio or landing page, a sitemap gives you intentionality. It’s the “why” behind your sections and pages — and when your project grows, it becomes the map that keeps everything aligned.

Why Sitemaps Are Essential Before You Start Designing

We get it. As designers, we love the creative rush of building in Webflow — clicking, styling, animating. However, if you skip the strategic step of sitemap planning, you risk much more than just wasted time.

Here’s what happens when you don’t use a sitemap (sound familiar?):

• You add random pages mid-project, and the navigation breaks
• Clients ask, “Where’s the pricing page again?”, and you realize you forgot it
• You spend hours reorganizing CMS collections after the design is “done.”
• You redesign pages just because the user journey doesn’t make sense anymore

This happens all the time — not because we’re bad at design, but because we’re working without a map.

Here’s why a sitemap should come first:

1. It gives you mental clarity – You start the project knowing exactly what needs to be designed, prioritized, and delivered. No second-guessing, no vague to-do lists.

2. It helps you scope the project (and price it better) – A clear sitemap means you can estimate the work involved, group tasks logically, and even identify upsell opportunities (e.g., blog, FAQ, contact form).

3. It improves communication with clients – Clients can visualize the site before they touch a design tool. This reduces revisions and sets clear expectations.

4. It enhances UX from the beginning – You can plan user journeys, prioritize content, and create intuitive navigation early, which means fewer rewrites and redesigns down the line.

5. It keeps your Webflow builds clean and scalable – Knowing your page structure in advance helps you set up page linking, and components correctly, right from the start.

Now imagine doing all this manually — sticky notes, FigJam flows, or Notion tables. It works, but it’s slow. That’s exactly where Modulify’s AI-powered Sitemap tool comes in, which we’ll dive into shortly.

Next up: let’s walk through how to start building your own sitemap, with some easy, beginner-friendly tips.

How to Start Creating a Sitemap 

If you’ve never built a sitemap before, don’t worry — you don’t need to be a UX architect to do it right. Here’s a simple framework I use when planning client sites or even personal projects. You can sketch it out by hand, use a whiteboard, or go digital with tools like FigJam or Notion.

The Basics of Sitemap Planning

Start with the “Why”– What’s the goal of the site? Lead generation? Portfolio exposure? Selling a product? Knowing the purpose helps you decide what pages are needed and which ones you can skip.

List all key pages – Start with essentials: Home, About, Services, Blog, Contact, etc. Think of what a visitor expects to find when they land on the site.

Group pages into sections – For example, under "Services", you might list individual offerings like “Web Design”, “Branding”, or “SEO.” Grouping makes it easier to structure menus and navigation.

Think in terms of user flow – Where do you want people to click next? Does the Homepage guide them to your Work or your Pricing? This helps you shape the journey.

Visualize it – Use blocks, cards, or a tree structure to lay out the hierarchy visually. Even a rough sketch helps you and your client see the bigger picture.

Already Feeling Overwhelmed – Let Modulify Do It For You

If this feels like too much — or if you’re short on time — here’s where Modulify steps in. When you start a new project on Modulify, you can simply type in a short prompt like:

“I’m building a website for a wellness company that offers beauty products and organic creams.”

And just like that, Modulify’s AI will generate a ready-to-use sitemap — complete with page categories, hierarchy, and even smart suggestions for common pages you might forget (like FAQs, Testimonials, or Terms of Service).

You can edit, add, or remove sections and pages instantly. You go from idea to structure in under 60 seconds.

Whether you’re presenting ideas to a client or organizing your thoughts as a solo designer, Modulify helps you skip the blank canvas and get straight to building.

Sitemap Examples for Different Project Types

To make this more practical, here are a few realistic sitemap examples for the kinds of projects most junior designers, freelancers, and small teams deal with. These are the exact types Modulify can generate for you with just a short brief.

1. Portfolio website (for freelancers, designers, students…)

Prompt you’d use in Modulify:

Create a personal site for a freelance UX/UI designer with portfolio and services.

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2. Small business website (marketing, consultants…)

Prompt you’d use in Modulify:

“Create a website for a marketing agency that offers SEO, web design, and strategy.”

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3. SaaS Landing Site (Startups, small agencies…)

Prompt you’d use in Modulify:

Build a landing page for a SaaS tool that helps remote teams track productivity.

Each of these sitemap templates can be generated automatically with Modulify AI, and then customized further. In other words, you’re starting with a structured foundation that’s tailored to your project type.

6. Frequently Asked Questions about Sitemaps

If you’ve ever sat in front of a blank canvas thinking “Where do I even begin?”, you’re not alone. Structuring a website before the design starts is one of the most critical — and most overlooked parts of the workflow. It’s even harder when you’re juggling multiple projects or working solo.

Here are some common questions from designers just like you, especially those new to sitemaps and Modulify.

1. What is a sitemap, and why is it important in web design?

A sitemap is a visual outline of your website’s page structure. It’s crucial for planning user flow, organizing content, and aligning the team or client before design begins. Think of it as your website’s architectural blueprint.

2. Do I need a sitemap for a simple website or landing page?

Yes! Even the simplest sites benefit from a sitemap. It keeps you focused, avoids overlooked pages (like Terms or FAQs), and helps map out navigation early on.

3. How can I generate a sitemap with Modulify?

Just start a project on Modulify and describe your website idea in a short prompt. Our AI will build a sitemap for you, automatically suggesting core and supporting pages, grouped by section.

4. Can I customize the AI-generated sitemap?

Absolutely. You can add or remove pages, rename sections, or adjust the hierarchy to fit your needs. Modulify gives you complete control after the initial generation.

5. Is Modulify’s sitemap generator suitable for Webflow users?

Yes! Modulify was designed with Webflow in mind. The sitemap structure maps naturally to page hierarchies, helping you avoid rework during development.

6. I work with clients — can I use this to get approvals?

Definitely. Modulify’s sitemaps are clear, visual, and perfect for client presentations. You’ll get faster feedback and fewer surprises later in the process.

7. Do I need design experience to use Modulify’s sitemap tool?

Not at all. Modulify is beginner-friendly — even if you're just starting in design or development. The AI guides you through structure, and you can grow your skills while building real projects.

Ready to Build Smarter?

If you’re tired of second-guessing your structure, revisiting your designs mid-project, or starting with a blank page, it’s time to try something better.

Modulify isn’t just a tool. It’s your assistant, strategist, and launchpad — all in one.

From the very first sitemap to your final Webflow-ready layout, Modulify helps you:

Plan clearly, design faster, and impress clients(and yourself).