SEO STRATEGY
10 Topical Map Examples for Different Niches
Real examples showing how to structure topical maps for blogs, e-commerce, SaaS, local businesses, and more. Copy these frameworks for your own site.
• 12 min read
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What Makes a Good Topical Map?
Before diving into examples, let's establish what a well-structured topical map includes:
Pillar Pages (3-7)
Comprehensive guides covering main topics (2,000-5,000 words)
Cluster Content (10-20 per pillar)
Supporting articles that dive deep into subtopics
Internal Links
Every cluster article links back to its pillar page
Clear Hierarchy
Topics organized from broad to specific
Now, let's see this in action across 10 different niches:
1. Health & Fitness Blog
Niche: Home workouts for busy professionals
Topical Map Structure
Pillar 1: Home Workout Basics
• Bodyweight exercises guide • Creating a home gym • Workout without equipment • 15-minute workouts • Morning workout routines • Exercise form guides
Pillar 2: Strength Training at Home
• Dumbbell workouts • Resistance band training • Progressive overload at home • Upper body exercises • Lower body exercises • Core strengthening
Pillar 3: Cardio & HIIT
• HIIT workout plans • Low-impact cardio • Jump rope workouts • Indoor cycling guide • Cardio for fat loss • Apartment-friendly cardio
Pillar 4: Workout Programs
• 30-day challenges • 12-week transformation • Beginner programs • Advanced routines • Weight loss programs • Muscle building plans
Total content pieces: ~60-80 articles for comprehensive coverage
2. Personal Finance Blog
Niche: Personal finance for millennials
Topical Map Structure
Pillar 1: Budgeting
• 50/30/20 rule explained • Zero-based budgeting • Best budgeting apps • Budget for irregular income • Budgeting for couples • Budget spreadsheet templates
Pillar 2: Saving Money
• Emergency fund guide • High-yield savings accounts • Saving for a house • Automating savings • Saving on groceries • Cutting subscriptions
Pillar 3: Investing
• Investing for beginners • Index fund investing • Roth IRA guide • 401k optimization • Dividend investing • Real estate investing
Pillar 4: Debt Payoff
• Debt snowball method • Debt avalanche method • Student loan strategies • Credit card payoff • Debt consolidation • Negotiating with creditors
Total content pieces: ~80-120 articles (high-competition niche)
3. E-commerce Store (Outdoor Gear)
Niche: Outdoor and camping equipment
Topical Map Structure
Pillar 1: Camping Gear Guides
• Best camping tents [year] • Sleeping bag buying guide • Camping cookware essentials • Headlamp comparisons • Camping chair reviews • Portable power stations
Pillar 2: Hiking Essentials
• Best hiking boots • Hiking backpack guide • Trekking poles review • Hiking clothing layers • Trail navigation tools • Hydration packs
Pillar 3: How-To Guides
• How to set up a tent • Campfire cooking tips • Bear safety camping • Leave no trace guide • Camping with kids • Winter camping tips
Pillar 4: Destination Guides
• Best camping in [State] • National park guides • Dispersed camping spots • Beach camping locations • Mountain camping sites • Desert camping tips
Total content pieces: ~100-150 articles (product + informational content)
4. SaaS Product (Project Management)
Niche: Project management software
Topical Map Structure
Pillar 1: Project Management Fundamentals
• What is project management • Project lifecycle phases • Project scope management • Stakeholder management • Risk management guide • Project documentation
Pillar 2: Methodologies
• Agile methodology guide • Scrum framework explained • Kanban vs Scrum • Waterfall methodology • Hybrid project management • Choosing the right methodology
Pillar 3: Team Productivity
• Remote team management • Team collaboration tips • Meeting efficiency guide • Task prioritization methods • Time tracking best practices • Async communication
Pillar 4: Tools & Comparisons
• [Product] vs [Competitor] • Best PM tools [year] • Free project management tools • PM tools for small teams • Enterprise PM software • PM tool migration guide
Total content pieces: ~60-100 articles
5. Local Business (Dental Practice)
Niche: Family dental practice in Austin, TX
Topical Map Structure
Pillar 1: Dental Services
• Teeth cleaning Austin • Dental implants guide • Root canal treatment • Teeth whitening options • Invisalign in Austin • Emergency dental care
Pillar 2: Dental Health Education
• Proper brushing technique • Flossing guide • Cavity prevention • Gum disease signs • Diet and dental health • Children's dental care
Pillar 3: Cosmetic Dentistry
• Veneers cost and process • Smile makeover guide • Bonding vs veneers • Gum contouring • Before/after gallery • Cosmetic consultation
Pillar 4: Patient Resources
• First visit expectations • Dental insurance guide • Payment options • Dental anxiety tips • Post-procedure care • FAQ page
Total content pieces: ~30-50 articles (local businesses need less volume)
6. Food & Recipe Blog
Niche: Mediterranean diet recipes
Topical Map Structure
Pillar 1: Mediterranean Diet Basics
• What is Mediterranean diet • Mediterranean food list • Beginner's guide • Health benefits • Meal planning guide • Shopping list
Pillar 2: Breakfast Recipes
• Greek yogurt parfaits • Mediterranean egg dishes • Healthy granola recipes • Shakshuka variations • Quick breakfast ideas • Breakfast meal prep
Pillar 3: Lunch & Dinner
• Greek salad recipes • Grilled fish dishes • Falafel and hummus • Pasta with olive oil • Chicken souvlaki • Vegetarian mains
Pillar 4: Special Collections
• 30-minute recipes • Budget Mediterranean meals • Mediterranean desserts • Holiday recipes • Kid-friendly options • Meal prep recipes
Total content pieces: ~100-200 recipes + guides
7. B2B Services (Marketing Agency)
Niche: Digital marketing agency
Topical Map Structure
Pillar 1: SEO Services
• What is SEO • On-page SEO checklist • Technical SEO guide • Link building strategies • Local SEO for businesses • SEO ROI calculator
Pillar 2: Paid Advertising
• Google Ads guide • Facebook Ads for B2B • LinkedIn advertising • Retargeting strategies • PPC budget planning • Ad copywriting tips
Pillar 3: Content Marketing
• Content strategy guide • Blog content planning • Video marketing ROI • Podcast marketing • Content distribution • Measuring content success
Pillar 4: Industry Guides
• Marketing for [industry] • Case studies • Marketing benchmarks • Tools and resources • Trends and predictions • Agency vs in-house
Total content pieces: ~80-120 articles
8. Hobby/Enthusiast Site (Photography)
Niche: Beginner photography
Topical Map Structure
Pillar 1: Camera Fundamentals
• Aperture explained • Shutter speed guide • ISO and exposure • Manual mode tutorial • Focus modes • White balance
Pillar 2: Composition
• Rule of thirds • Leading lines • Framing techniques • Negative space • Symmetry and patterns • Depth in photos
Pillar 3: Types of Photography
• Portrait photography • Landscape tips • Street photography • Product photography • Night photography • Macro photography
Pillar 4: Gear & Editing
• Best cameras for beginners • Lens buying guide • Lightroom basics • Photoshop for beginners • Free editing software • Tripod recommendations
Total content pieces: ~80-100 articles
9. Education/Course Platform
Niche: Online course platform for web development
Topical Map Structure
Pillar 1: Web Development Basics
• HTML for beginners • CSS fundamentals • JavaScript basics • How websites work • Development tools • Code editor setup
Pillar 2: Frontend Frameworks
• React tutorial • Vue.js guide • Angular basics • Svelte introduction • Framework comparison • Which to learn first
Pillar 3: Backend Development
• Node.js tutorial • Python for web • Database basics • REST API design • Authentication guide • Deployment guide
Pillar 4: Career & Learning
• Web developer roadmap • Portfolio tips • Interview preparation • Freelancing guide • Learning path recommendations • Salary expectations
Total content pieces: ~100-150 articles + tutorials
10. Affiliate Review Site
Niche: Home office equipment reviews
Topical Map Structure
Pillar 1: Office Chairs
• Best ergonomic chairs • Chair under $300 • Gaming chairs for work • Standing desk chairs • [Brand] chair review • Chair comparison guides
Pillar 2: Standing Desks
• Best standing desks • Electric vs manual • Standing desk converters • L-shaped standing desks • Budget standing desks • Standing desk accessories
Pillar 3: Monitors & Tech
• Best monitors for work • Ultrawide monitors • Monitor arms • Webcam recommendations • Keyboard reviews • Mouse for productivity
Pillar 4: Home Office Setup
• Complete setup guides • Lighting for home office • Cable management • Productivity tips • Budget setup guides • Ergonomics guide
Total content pieces: ~80-120 articles (mix of reviews and guides)
Create Your Own Topical Map in 60 Seconds
These examples show the structure—but every niche is different. The best way to create your topical map is to generate one specifically for your niche.
Topical Map AI generates a complete, customized topical map for any niche:
800-1,200
Keywords per map
Auto-Clustered
By topic and intent
60 Seconds
To generate
Generate Your Topical Map Free
No credit card required. See your complete content strategy in 60 seconds.