What is the purpose of a sitemap in UI design?

The purpose of a sitemap in UI design is to outline the structure and pages of a website. It serves as a visual representation or blueprint that illustrates how different pages and content are organized within the site. This organization helps designers and developers understand the flow of the website, ensuring users can navigate easily from one section to another.

By clearly defining the hierarchy and relationships between various components, a sitemap facilitates better planning and improves the overall user experience. It allows for efficient content organization, which is crucial for building a user-friendly interface and ensuring that users can find information quickly and intuitively. It could also assist in identifying potential issues in website navigation or content placement before the actual design and development take place.