WriteMaps - Righting the wrongs of site map tools?
Sharpenr will feature a minimum of site and app “reviews”. However if I do come across an app that I think holds value to you, the hard-working web entrepreneur, I will feature it after doing some real-life wheel kicking.
One such app is WriteMaps, the online site map creator.
It caught my attention as I am still on the lookout for that perfect site map tool. Currently Excel (!) is a step ahead of OmniGraffle. Visio in its inept glory is not even on the proverbial map. Even though Excel does a good job for me, it’s not quite right.
Thus I had my first look at WriteMaps three weeks ago and have had a hard time to let go ever since.
First impressions were good, and I still think that visually it is a delight. It is also very intuitive, and despite some rendering issues it creates presentable site maps both on screen and on paper.
The app is clearly at a very early stage. To developer Scott Jehl’s credit there is no annoying “beta” sticker stuck to it, even though maybe for once it would be justified.
The reason I keep telling people about this barely-out-of-nappies app is its inherent ease of use. Earlier today it took me less than 5 minutes to put together a rough site map for a pitch I am working on, tweak it, save it as a PDF and send it off.
I could have also opted to send an invite to share and collaborate on it. And this is where I think WriteMaps will really come in to its own; as a massive time saver and an easy way to include project stake holders.
WriteMaps is very quick and easy, and it’s hard not to love that about it. It does has some ways to go before it becomes a must-use tool, but I think it might be on its way to righting the wrongs of site map apps. Especially if these wishes are granted:
- Ability to cross link pages
- Option to color code pages
- Ability to move a created page and any linked pages
I am guessing some of these might be on the drawing board already. For now, I recommend WriteMaps as a quick and easy map creator for less complex site projects. And that is not a bad place for it to start its ascent.
Scott Jehl
December 22
Hi Jaan,
Scott from WriteMaps here. First of all, thanks for a great review of the app and I’m glad it has suited you well so far. The features and improvements that you’ve pointed out have been requested by others users too and I’m working hard to get them implemented (page sorting being top priority).
Thanks again
Scott