An XML sitemap refers to your website map. The map consists of important information about your site, but its main work is to let the search engines know where to find various pages on your website.
It allows the search engines like Google to see all information in detail. The easy accessibility of your website given by the sitemap allows quick ranking with search engines. In short, you need a sitemap to appear on the first page of a search within a short time.
However, you need to do more than just having a sitemap for high indexing. It also doesn’t guarantee you that your website will be ranked.
Instead, it only increases the visibility of your site and its content, which lets the search engines crawlers access your website.
Table of Contents
How does an XML sitemap work?
An XML sitemap is a file that provides information regarding your essential pages, including videos, pages, and many other files, and brings out their relationship. Search engines, including Google, go to this file for efficient crawling.
A sitemap lets search engines know the files or pages you value most in your website because they allowed them to access the information in the files.
For example, when you update a page, the search engines will notice the change.
Using XML sitemap, you can provide specific content on your web pages, including news, image, and videos. For example:
- A video entry in a sitemap can show the category, age appropriateness, and running time.
- Image entry on a site map where you indicate image type, license, and subject. News entry on a site map, including the title of the article and publication date.
Why do you need one?
An XML sitemap enables search engines to reach your website and index the content on your pages. It consists of all pages and shows how they are related.
The sitemap can be a files, media, or pages list. It is possible to have a sitemap for your blog and another for the web pages. Here are some befits of a sitemap that you do not want to miss out on:
Higher Organic Ranking
Using a sitemap, you will ensure that search engines access your modified and fresh content. For example, a sitemap notifies Google every time you add new content or update your blogs.
This improves the chance of people viewing your content when searching for anything related to your niche.
Reduces broken links
A sitemap gives you a temporary solution to incorrect internal, broken, and missing links. These links are harmful and should be fixed as soon as possible.
Using a sitemap, you are guaranteed a short-term solution, but very effective.
Themes clarification
Users can get an idea of what your website services or products are through the sitemap. Thus, it makes it easy to attract the attention of customers.
Besides, the webmaster will easily maintain your current structure even when adding new sections.
Helps to Streamlines Conversion Funnel
It is always better when you have a few steps leading visitors to the conversion funnel. This minimizes the chances of people leaving your website before signing up or buying your products.
An XML sitemap presents the conversion funnel allowing prospects to quickly identify the steps to follow when they want to buy.
In short, it removes unnecessarily long procedures that keep many people away from the conversion funnel.
Crucial Insights regarding Visitors
XML Sitemap reports allow you to see essential insights that enable you to understand your visitors. This includes identifying the source of your main traffic and which keywords lead most people to your website.
Thanks to the sitemap, you are also notified when there is an error, and you improve the website content.
Free vs. Paid options of sitemap
You will find free XML sitemap tools but for efficiency, go for paid XML sitemap. They come with features that cannot find in basic versions. They include:
- High customization
- Batch editing
- Text file importation
- Pings from search engines
How to submit to Google Console
XML sitemap works in various parts of your site. This allows search engines such as Google to understand the structure of your site. But you have to submit your sitemap to Google Console to allow automatic update whenever you remove, add or change your web content. Here are easy steps you can follow to do so:
- Start by signing into the Google Console.
- Choose your website using the sidebar.
- Go to ‘Sitemaps’ and click- The site map menu falls under the section indicated as “Index.” If you cannot see ‘Sitemaps,’ click ‘Index,’ and the section will expand.
- Remove any invalid or outdated sitemaps that may be there.
- Put ‘sitema_index.xml’ where it’s written ‘Add a new sitemap’ to complete your URL
- Click submit
Who Need An XML Sitemap
You should have an XML site map if:
- Run an extensive website – If you run a large site, you should have an XML sitemap. It ensures that Google crawls in all your content without overlooking some. A sitemap ensures any content or update blogs are indexed fast.
- If you have a big website with many archived isolated content pages and are not linked to one another, you need a sitemap. When your web pages fail to reference each other, a map site will bring them together and ensure each of them is crawled by Google.
- You have a new website with few external links, meaning Google has problems discovering your pages. A sitemap will bring them together and enable search engines to rank them.
- Your site contains media content such as images and videos, or it appears on Google News. Google takes any additional information from XML sitemaps for search. This helps give your website maximum exposure and high indexing.
Conclusion
An effective structure makes it easy for search engines to find your content. XML sitemap comes with various features that will structure appropriately and ensure that Goggle doesn’t overlook your content. Therefore, it is the easiest way to boost SEO in your website since it benefits you and your visitors.