Sitemap Submission Primer

Peter Devereaux
by Peter Devereaux 01 Jul, 2012
Sitemap Submission Primer

You might be surprised how little the world of Web workers actually know about sitemaps. If you've spent any time at all within the SEO community of course the term "sitemap' won't make you blink as you're likely already very familiar. But for the rest, a little education is in order to make use of this powerful mechanism to get pages indexed by the search engines.

 

What is a search engine sitemap?

A sitemap (specifically a search engine sitemap as opposed to a sitemap built for users) is a file that contains a list of website page URL's that is made accessible by the website owner for search engine crawlers to access and index. Sitemaps are more than just a list of URL's though, they contain important metadata (an additional information layer) about each URL including the time it was last modified, how frequently it changes and the URL's importance in relation to other URL's. Sitemaps are useful for those sites whose pages are not always easily discoverable by search engines or which have trouble getting indexed.

 


How do you create a sitemap?

While it is possible to hand code a sitemap, that process can be complex and cumbersome. Fortunately, most modern content management systems (CMS) recognize the important of search engine sitemaps and readily provide the necessary XML files that you can use (see the next step on submission of sitemaps). Check with your existing CMS provider to see what resources they provide. Realize however if you opt to go it alone, choosing to follow the official sitemaps protocol instead, that there are different kinds of sitemaps including those for video, images, news, and even mobile. Each type of sitemap has its own rules so knowing the differences between each will prove of great importance.

 


Where to you submit sitemaps?

Creating a sitemaps is only the first step; you'll also need to submit the sitemap to search engines. Google and Bing both provide platforms (Google Webmaster Tools and Bing Webmaster Tools) which provide a way not only to submit, but track the performance of your website and how it is performing in the search results.

 

Sample sitemap:

 
Peter Devereaux
Peter Devereaux
As the Editor-in-Chief of Website Magazine and President of Website Services, Peter has established himself as a prominent figure in the digital marketing industry. With a wealth of experience and knowledge, Peter has been a driving force in shaping the landscape of digital marketing. His leadership in creating innovative and targeted marketing campaigns has helped numerous businesses achieve their revenue growth goals. Under his direction, Website Magazine has become a trusted source of information and insights for digital marketers worldwide. As President of Website Services, Peter oversees a team of talented professionals who specialize in SEO/SEM, email marketing, social media, and digital advertising. Through his hands-on approach, he ensures that his team delivers exceptional results to their clients. With a passion for digital marketing, Peter is committed to staying up-to-date with the latest industry trends and technologies, making him a sought-after thought leader in the field.