optimal structure for a site

If there is a site with 300+ pages, what is the optimal linking structure between internal pages? Some posibilities come in my mind:

1) arborescent (directory like) where deep pages have usually just 1 internal incoming link

2) many links between internal pages to create as many connections as possible

3) site structred in pages like in google search results

4) other? which?

note: this is not about site maps, we consider we have a sitemap, it's just about how internal structure of a site and connections between pages could affect SEs.

 

IMO there is no general rules. It depends on your site. The link structure should aim to boost the pages you want your visitors to visit and the search engines to rank. Links must focus on these pages.

 

A structure that maximizes the amount of text links pointing toward each page is good, IMO.

 

I would say hierarchical user-friendly structure no deeper than 3-4 levels and equally much internal linking for each and every page.

Not sure about the depth of the levels. Actually I belive you could use deeper levels with the only drawback it would take longer to get fully indexed.

Anyway I tried this site structure at http://www.webpelican.com/
The site contains alot of programming assignments with solutions. To interlink them I have used markup like this in the head section:

<link rel="start" href="/internet-programming-1/" title="Internet Programming 1" />
    <link rel="prev" href="/internet-programming-1/java-applets-threads/" title="Java Applets and Threads" />
    <link rel="next" href="/internet-programming-1/java-browser-applet/" title="Java Browser Applet" />

Code (markup):

The code above is from: http://www.webpelican.com/internet-programming-1/java-browser/

At the end of every page I have previous and next buttons to linking to the previous and next assignments.

Futhermore, use sidebar links with page topic keywords.

In other word, alot of internal links.


Since the site is new it will take awhile before I get any pagerank to see if this structure is sucessful.

 

The best practice is to have as many internal links to your:
1. Content pages
2. Important product pages

Interlink your articles within content where applicable as navigation links may carry less weight than links within content.

 

Is there a free sitemap available?

I would use Google Sitemaps but i cannot upload file for verification.

Any other free services available?

Thanks in advance