Color, size, and the amount of images and text used vary widely. The table of contents can have a vertical, horizontal, columnar, or other orientation. Feedback and Interactivity. Location Within the Browser Window. Traditionally, the table of contents has been a separate, stand-alone HTML page like other pages in a site.
Many sites now feature tables of contents that appear on every page layout.
Based on my use of tables of contents on the Web and my experience in testing their usability, here are some guidelines to consider when designing a table of contents for your site. Make sure users can find it easily. With regard to the location of navigation elements, conventions for the Web aren't as established as they are for shopping malls and books. Users need to know that a table of contents is there if they need it, and they should be able to get to it quickly. Strike a balance in length.