Loading ...What is a sitemap?
A sitemap is a webpage that contains a list of all other documents and links on a website. A sitemap outlines the information contained within a website and shows its structure. It also guides search engines to websites as well as helping visitors navigate easily. In the case of search engines, sitemaps help spiders find and index each page quickly.
In the world of SEO a sitemap is invaluable. Yet they are still either ignored or omitted due to ignorance. Spending time on creating a sitemap is time well spent.
There are two types of sitemaps. One is used specifically by search engines and the other is used specifically by humans. HTML sitemaps help humans navigate websites and also allow search engines to crawl around a website more easily.
Sitemaps that are used exclusively by search engine spiders can either use XML which stands for Extensible Mark up Language or simple txt files.
HTML sitemaps
This type of sitemap is commonly used by webmasters and SEO experts because it provides search engine visibility. Visitors can also use an HTML sitemap to guide their way around a website. To create one all you do is place your websites internal links in one page.
XML Sitemaps
XML sitemaps are popular with they enable search engines to crawl a website much better. This type of sitemap consists of a structured list of links in XML language. To make an XML sitemap is easy if you use a pre-designed one. All you need do is insert your URL and choose a few options and it will make it for you. You then load it onto your server and provide a link for search engines to follow.
Txt Sitemaps are as simple as providing a list of URL’s in simple text.
Sitemaps should only be linked from our home page because you want search engines to start following your links from the start. It is advisable to limit your page links on your sitemap to fewer than 30 or you may run the risk of being mistaken as a link farm. This also makes it easier for humans. You may need to split your sitemap into numerous pages but bear in mind each page you create in an extra page of content for your website. Each page must be linked to the next however. If not you will in essence be created broken links and both spiders and humans will lose interest.
Test your sitemap completely and make sure that all links are in good order. It should be easy to navigate and easy to read. Your sitemap should also be consistent in its look and feel to the rest of the website.
Insert at most 20 words of text from the original page underneath each link. This creates content for spiders and humans can easily see what each page is about. Each link title should be keyword rich and should link back to the original page.
The benefits of creating a sitemap far outweigh the time spent in its creation.
Related posts:
- How do sitemaps feature in SEO
- How do Sitemaps benefit Search Engine Optimisation?
- Adding your site to Google
- Adding your site to Google
- What to do if your site is not doing well on Google searches
Tags: Essential SEO, SEO 101, SEO Newbie, SEO Tips
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