How to Create and Submit a Sitemap

How to Create and Submit a Sitemap

Article 104 From the Complete Do It Yourself SEO Checklist For Small Business

A sitemap is a file that lists all the important pages on your website. It helps search engines like Google and Bing find and understand your content, which can improve your website’s visibility in search results. Creating and submitting a sitemap is easier than you might think—here’s how to do it.

Step 1: Create Your Sitemap

There are several ways to create a sitemap, depending on how your website is built.

1. If You Use WordPress

• Install a plugin like Yoast SEO or Rank Math. These plugins automatically generate a sitemap for your website.
• Once installed and activated, go to the plugin settings to find your sitemap URL. For example, with Yoast, your sitemap is usually at https://www.yoursite.com/sitemap_index.xml.

2. If You Use Website Builders (Wix, Squarespace, Shopify)

• Most website builders automatically create a sitemap for you.
• Check their help center or search for “[your platform] sitemap” to find your sitemap URL. For example, in Wix, your sitemap is at https://www.yoursite.com/sitemap.xml.

3. If You Manage Your Website Manually

• Use an online sitemap generator like XML-sitemaps.com to create a sitemap file.
• Download the file and upload it to your website’s root directory using your hosting service.

Step 2: Find Your Sitemap URL

Your sitemap URL is typically located at https://www.yoursite.com/sitemap.xml or a similar location. Make sure it’s accessible by typing the URL into your browser—if the sitemap loads, you’re good to go!

Step 3: Submit Your Sitemap to Google

1. Sign in to Google Search Console.
2. Select your website from the dashboard.
3. In the left-hand menu, click on “Sitemaps.”
4. Enter your sitemap URL (e.g., /sitemap.xml) in the field provided.
5. Click “Submit.”

Google will process your sitemap and start using it to crawl your website.

Step 4: Submit Your Sitemap to Bing

1. Sign in to Bing Webmaster Tools.
2. Select your website from the dashboard.
3. In the left-hand menu, go to “Sitemaps.”
4. Enter your sitemap URL and click “Submit.”

Bing will also start using your sitemap to crawl your site.

Why Is a Sitemap Important?

• Helps Search Engines Find Your Pages: Especially useful for new websites or sites with lots of pages.
• Improves SEO: Ensures all important pages are indexed by search engines.
• Fixes Crawling Issues: If your site has pages that are hard to find, a sitemap makes them visible.

Tip: Check your sitemap regularly to ensure it’s up to date, especially if you’ve added or removed pages from your website.

By creating and submitting a sitemap, you’re giving search engines a clear map of your site, making it easier for potential customers to find you online.