The digital wilderness that is the Internet is daunting
to the best of us. There’s a whole world of SEO, algorithms and viral cat
videos to decipher, all with just 24 hours in a day.
As a business owner, trying to grasp the intricacies of how
it all works can be likened to attempting to fold a fitted sheet. It’s a task
that can be both frustrating and bewildering. More often than not, you find
yourself yearning to curl up into a ball – much like that bedsheet you had such
high hopes for – so you can stash yourself in the back of the linen closet
while pleading for mercy.
First and foremost, take a deep breath. No one’s gonna see
that bedsheet, so it’s fine.
But alas, navigating the intricacies of the Internet is a
fundamental part of running a business in today’s world. You don’t need to be
an expert (you can’t be good at everything!), but having at least a knowledge
of how things work, where they belong and why it all matters is essential.
Part of this journey involves understanding the basics of
sitemaps. Things like what they are, what they do, why your website needs one,
and more.
In this blog, you’ll discover how to generate sitemaps that
search engines adore and how to create user-friendly HTML sitemaps that make
your website a breeze to navigate. We’ll also explore the best practices, tips
and real-world examples. Our goal is to equip you with the knowledge and tools
you need to take control of your website’s destiny.
What is a Website Sitemap?
We thought we’d start with the basics. ‘Cause not everyone
knows what a sitemap is. And that’s A-okay! That’s what we’re here for!
“A sitemap is a file that shows the structure of a website,
including its pages and content and the relationships between them,” explains
Semrush. See? We told you it wasn’t as complicated as it sounded!
Why is a Website Sitemap Important?
We’re going to get you to use your imagination for a minute.
Imagine your website as a big library with lots and lots of books. Each book in this library represents a web page on your site. Now, think about trying to find a specific book – let’s say the latest psychological thriller that everyone on TikTok is talking about – in this library without a catalog or a map.
It would be pretty tough, right? Chances are slim you’d
actually find the book and you’d just end up admitting defeat after a
bit and head to the bookstore down the street, instead.
Well, a website sitemap is like that catalog or map for your
website. It’s a list of all the pages on your site, all nicely organized.
Now, put yourself in your customers’ shoes.
Just as a library catalog helps you find books, a sitemap
helps the folks visiting your website find what they’re looking for, quickly
and easily. But there’s more. And it also helps search engines like Google,
which send out “crawlers,” which aren’t as creepy as they sound.
These crawlers rely on sitemaps to comprehend your website’s
structure and index its pages, which is one aspect of SEO, or Search Engine Optimization. SEO encompasses various
strategies to enhance a website’s visibility and ranking in search engine
results.
Now, imagine Google as a very organized, stern librarian.
You know the type, the one with the glasses perched on the edge of her nose who
looks at you sharply when you talk loudly. She wants to keep track of all the
books in her library, which is like the Internet. To do this, she sends out
tiny, virtual “spiders” to explore every book (or webpage) in the library.
Now, these spiders are like little detectives, and they need
to create a list of all the books in the library so the librarian can find them
easily. But the library is so vast that they could get lost or miss some books.
Look at a sitemap as the same thing. If you don’t have ‘em,
the search engine might miss some of your important content.
Here’s why: a sitemap is like a big, clear map that shows
the spiders exactly where each book (webpage) is located in the library (your
website). It helps the spiders organize all the books and make sure they don’t
miss any.
Without this map, the spiders might not find some of your
books (webpages), and those books won’t be in the library’s catalog (Google’s
search results).
And you’ll have one ticked off librarian.
Essentially, it all comes down to providing a good user
experience for your website’s visitors. When visitors can find what they
need quickly, they’re more likely to have a positive experience on your
website. On the other hand, if they get frustrated because they can’t locate
information, they might leave and never return. And let’s be real: that’s not a
good thing for your business.
Let’s let the numbers speak for themselves: Following a poor
user experience, up to 89 per cent of people have switched to a competitor’s
website. And, on average, it’ll take users less than 15 seconds to decide whether or not they want to
stay on your website, and if they decide to leave, they’re more than likely to
switch to a competitor.
Now that you understand why sitemaps are important, let’s
explore the different types of sitemaps and what each of them are all about.
The Different Types of Sitemaps, Explained
Sitemaps come in two types: HTML and XML. But don’t let all
those letters scare you off! Just take a deep breath and keep reading.
HTML: Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) sitemaps are for the human visitors to your site. They
act as friendly tour guides so visitors can explore your site easily and
efficiently.
XML: Extensible Markup Language (XML)
sitemaps are for search engines, serving as a navigation tool for web crawlers.
It’s like a backstage pass, allowing search engine bots to access exclusive
areas of your website that might not be immediately visible to human visitors.
This behind-the-scenes map helps these digital agents move swiftly through your
website’s complex infrastructure.
Good to know: From the two types of sitemaps
above, there are subsections within them. We’re not going to
explore those today, but it’s good to be aware they exist.
Now here’s the thing. You need them both. No picking
favourites!
Think of HTML and XML sitemaps as the essential duo that
propels your digital journey forward, much like the steering wheel and engine
in a sporty red Audi. No matter how sleek it looks, parked ever so nicely in
your driveway, it’s not going to go too far without both, right?
Think of your online presence in the same way. Just like a
car needs both a reliable steering wheel and a powerful engine, your website
relies on HTML and XML sitemaps to drive its performance and make a meaningful
impact in the digital realm.
The steering wheel (HTML sitemap) ensures your human
visitors can navigate with ease, while the engine (XML sitemap) drives your
website’s visibility and performance on the vast highway of the Internet. It’s
not a matter of choosing one over the other.
It’s about embracing both to fuel your online success.
Let’s take an in-depth look at each.
☑ The XML Sitemap
The XML sitemap serves as a secret map designed exclusively
for search engines, and it plays an important role in how your website performs
in the digital landscape. Imagine it as the crucial tool that guides search
engines through the intricate maze of your website.
Just as a map helps you navigate an unfamiliar city, an XML
sitemap assists search engines in navigating your website’s vast terrain.
This digital cartography is particularly important because
it has a direct impact on your website’s visibility in search engine results
pages (SERPs). When someone searches for information or products online,
search engines like Google deploy complex algorithms to identify the most
relevant and authoritative websites to display at the top of the results. In
other words, they want to make sure the user sees the most relevant stuff
first.
Think of the XML sitemap as your website’s way of
emphatically announcing its presence to search engines. It’s like standing on a
busy street corner and shouting, “Hey, look at me!” The sitemap makes sure your
digital content doesn’t remain hidden to those searching for your product or
service.
In more technical terms, an XML sitemap provides search
engines with a structured, organized blueprint of your website’s pages, their
relationships, and their priority. By doing so, it hands over the perfect set
of keys that unlocks the full potential of your website’s content. This
comprehensive map ensures that search engine crawlers can easily and
systematically explore every nook and cranny of your site.
☑ The HTML Sitemap
The HTML sitemap is a little bit like a digital brochure for
your website, designed to guide your human visitors, showcasing all the
user-friendly features and enticing destinations your site has to offer. It
tells them where to find your ‘About Us’ page, explore your ‘Services,’ and
even discover your latest ‘Blog’ posts.
An HTML sitemap is also where they turn if they haven’t found
what they are looking for in your dropdown menus or on-site search, explains
Search Engine Journal.
Imagine you own a business that specializes in pool
maintenance. Now that fall is in full swing (ugh, cue the impending winter
chill), people are closing up their pools for the winter. You know that
ensuring a smooth, hassle-free experience for your clients is key. This is
where a sitemap comes into play.
A sitemap, in the context of your pool maintenance business,
is like a comprehensive checklist. It’s a simple, organized plan of all the
components in and around a pool that need attention when you’re closing it up
for the season.
In its simplest form, a sitemap provides clear navigation to
those using your website. Think of it this way: just as you’d need a clear plan
to shut down a pool, a sitemap provides a clear map of all the different areas
on your website. This makes it easier for visitors (your potential clients) to
navigate your site, finding the information they need with minimal confusion.
When done correctly, a sitemap ensures no details are
missed. When closing a pool, you wouldn’t want to forget crucial steps, like
covering it properly, disconnecting equipment, or winterizing chemicals.
Similarly, a website sitemap ensures that all the important pages and sections
of your site are neatly organized and accounted for. This minimizes the risk of
missing essential details, such as a ‘Contact Us’ page, services offered, or
client testimonials.
So why does your pool maintenance business need it?
Just as a comprehensive checklist makes your pool closing
service efficient and reliable, a website sitemap ensures that your online
presence is user-friendly and accessible. It’s all about making sure potential
clients can find you and all the information they need.
For example: If a homeowner is looking for a pool closing
service and lands on your website, a well-structured sitemap ensures they can
easily find your ‘Services’ page, where they learn about your pool closing
packages. They can then navigate to your ‘Pricing’ page to compare rates and
finally reach out through your ‘Contact Us’ page to book your service.
Without a sitemap, they might feel lost, like searching for
a specific piece of pool equipment in a cluttered shed, and might just turn to
a competitor whose website offers a clearer path.
It may help to picture your website as a bustling grocery
store, brimming with aisles of products (web pages). Now, if your customers are
anything like me, they despise trying to find what they’re looking for and just
want to get home so they can binge-watch Love is Blind in stretchy pants.
In simpler terms, your website visitors want what they’re looking
for pronto. They don’t have time for a wild online goose chase. This is where
the sitemap comes into play, serving as your customers’ digital guide, pointing
them directly to the must-have items – like chocolate.
If they can’t find what they’re looking for, they’re going
to exit your website without a second thought and head right on over to your
competitor’s site. And then they’re gonna get all the business you’re after.
The good news? Sitemaps aren’t tricky to create. And with
that minimal effort, you can see major benefits.
Creating an Effective Sitemap
If you’re sitting there wondering, “Okay, okay, I get it.
I need a sitemap. Now I need to know how to create a good sitemap for my
website.”
The good news is this: creating a sitemap is not all that hard! There are lots of handy guides you can find online that provide you with step-by-step instructions, so make sure you check out a few before getting started.
Before you dive headfirst into checking items off the lists,
however, here are a few key things you need to know:
When you’re crafting your sitemap, think about your website
visitors. You want to make sure it’s super easy for them to find what they’re
looking for. Organize it logically, with the most important stuff upfront,
making it like placing the most popular snacks at the front of a store for
quick access. Cover all the important pages, including images and videos, so
that everyone can easily find what they need.
And don’t forget to keep your sitemap up to date when you
add or change things on your site. If you don’t do this, your sitemap could
become outdated and lead users in the wrong direction.
Top Tip: Take advantage of sitemap
generator tools. There are free and paid versions to choose from, and they
automatically create sitemaps for your site, saving you time and effort. To top
it off, most content management systems will create a sitemap for you
automatically. Score!
How to Find a Sitemap of a Website
Let’s say you’re on a mission to track down your website’s
XML sitemap. We promise, it’s not rocket science. In fact, it’s an effortless
process.
Simply enter your website’s URL in your browser, and then
experiment with several variations. Let me illustrate this for you:
www.YourWebsiteUrl.com/sitemap.xml
This is the most commonly used location, though not the sole
one. If your initial attempt doesn’t yield the desired results, consider this
alternative check: /sitemap_index.xml (which is the index of all the sitemaps
in case a website has more than one).
If you’re still striking out, don’t despair! There are other
ways you can find your sitemap. Just keep trying until you find what you’re
looking for.
Here are a few more you can try:
/sitemap-index.xml
/sitemap.php
/sitemap.txt
If you happen to have Google
Search Console (a free web service provided by Google that allows you to
monitor and manage the presence of your website in Google’s search results), it
can also be easier to find what you’re looking for without too much of a
headache.
How to Add an XML Sitemap to a Website
So now you know what an XML sitemap is. You know what it
does. And you know why it’s important.
As we just touched on above, creating a sitemap using a
Content Management System (CMS) platform is a pretty straightforward process,
because many CMS platforms, such as WordPress, Joomla, and Drupal, offer
built-in sitemap generation features or plugins.
To create a sitemap, you typically need to install a sitemap
plugin or use the CMS’s default functionality.
Once installed, the plugin or feature will automatically
generate and update your sitemap as you add or modify content.
Even if you’re not exactly a digital guru, don’t stress.
These tools are as user-friendly as a well-worn pair of shoes. They take the
hassle out of the process, making sure your website stays well-organized.
Best of all, you won’t need a manual or a degree in rocket
science to manage your sitemap. It’s the go-to option for business owners,
tech-savvy or not!
Using a Sitemap Template
If you’re thinking of going the DIY route, kudos to you! A
sitemap template can help you get started. Think of them as a pre-made puzzle
where you fit in the pieces. They simplify the process, making it as easy as
filling in the blanks.
Canva’s sitemap tool is an excellent choice, especially if
you’re new to sitemap design. It enables you to create visual sitemaps that
mirror your website’s structure and user flow. You can search through Canva’s
library for visual elements and templates to outline your web pages and link
page URLs for quick navigation. Plus, it offers features to enhance user
interaction and overall experience for each page. It’s a user-friendly solution
for those taking their first steps into website sitemap creation.
How to Implement a Sitemap for Non-WordPress Websites
1. Create a Sitemap Manually:
- You
can use online tools like XML-Sitemaps.com
to generate a sitemap for your non-WordPress website. Enter your website's
URL, and the tool will crawl your site to create the sitemap.
- Alternatively,
if you have a small website, you can manually create an XML sitemap by
listing your URLs within the <urlset> tags, along with additional
tags like <loc>, <lastmod>, <changefreq>, and
<priority>.
2. Upload the Sitemap to Your Website:
Save the generated XML sitemap file as sitemap.xml and
upload this file to your website's root directory using an FTP client or your
hosting provider's file manager (e.g., www.yourwebsite.com/sitemap.xml).
3. Submit the Sitemap to Google Search Console:
As with WordPress sites, submit the sitemap through Google
Search Console.
4. Maintain and Update the Sitemap:
If you update your website frequently, regularly regenerate
and upload your sitemap to ensure it reflects the current structure of your
website.
5. Check Your Sitemap's Health:
Regularly monitor the status of your sitemap in Google Search Console to ensure there are no errors or issues. This helps maintain the effectiveness of your sitemap in guiding search engines.
Ensure Your Sitemap Reaches Other Search Engines
Submitting your sitemap to Google alone does not
automatically make it available to other search engines like Bing, Yahoo, or
others. To ensure that other search engines can also access your sitemap, you
should submit your sitemap to other search engines' webmaster tools:
- Bing
Webmaster Tools: You can submit your sitemap here, and it will also
cover Yahoo since Bing powers Yahoo's search engine.
- Other
search engines: For search engines like Yandex, Baidu, etc., you would
need to submit your sitemap separately if you want to target those
audiences.
By submitting your sitemap to multiple search engines, you
broaden your website's visibility across various platforms, potentially
increasing your traffic from a wider range of sources.
Troubleshooting Common Sitemap Issues
1. Sitemap Not Showing All URLs
- Check
plugin settings to ensure all content types are included.
- Clear
your website's cache to update the sitemap.
2. Sitemap Not Accessible
- Confirm
the correct sitemap URL and file permissions (644).
- Disable
conflicting plugins that might block the sitemap.
3. Sitemap Errors in Google Search Console
- For
"Sitemap Couldn't Be Read," validate the XML format and submit
the correct URL.
- For
"Submitted URL Not Found (404)," ensure the sitemap file exists
and regenerate it if needed.
4. Slow Sitemap Loading
- Split
large sitemaps into smaller ones.
- Check
server performance and remove unnecessary URLs.
5. Pages Not Being Indexed
- Ensure
robots.txt isn't blocking important pages.
- Check
for <noindex> tags and use Google Search Console to inspect the
pages.
6. Issues with Non-WordPress Sitemaps
- Verify
the sitemap follows the correct XML format.
- Regularly
update and upload the sitemap for dynamic sites.
7. Submission Issues with Other Search Engines
- Follow
each search engine's specific submission guidelines.
- Ensure the sitemap is encoded correctly, especially for Yandex and Baidu.
Conclusion
A well-implemented sitemap is essential for optimizing your website's visibility and performance on search engines. It ensures that all your content is easily discoverable, even if your internal linking isn't perfect, and helps search engines like Google index your pages more effectively. Regularly updating and submitting your sitemap not only keeps search engines informed of your latest content but also broadens your website's reach across multiple platforms.
Take the first step towards better SEO today by ensuring your website has a robust sitemap in place.