What Is a Sitemap in Web Design
A sitemap is one of the most important but the least considered aspects when constructing or enhancing a web site. Being a web designer or web developer or a business owner, it can matter a lot as to what a sitemap is and why it matters, in the performance of your website, the user experience, and the visibility of your site in the search engine.
This article will define the term sitemap, explain the various types of sitemaps, discuss the importance of sitemaps, and demonstrate how sitemaps can make your site user and search engine friendly.
Understanding the Basics: What Is a Sitemap?
The sitemap is a blueprint or map of a web site. It gives information on the organization, connectivity, and structure of the pages. Web designers have sitemaps, just like architects have blueprints to design a building.
Simply speaking, a sitemap assists in answering such questions as:
- How many pages will the website contain?
- What is the relation of these pages to one another?
- What is the movement of the users across sections?
A good sitemap will make sure your site is well structured so that it is simple to navigate and locate any information in the shortest time possible by either the human or a search engine.
Types of Sitemaps
Web design has two broad categories of sitemaps namely, visual sitemap and XML sitemap. They are used by different audiences and purposes.
Visual Sitemaps
A sitemap that is based on visuals is utilized primarily in the planning and designing of a site. It is a graphic that reveals the flow and structure of the relationship among various pages.
As an example, the Home Page can be connected with the pages of About Us, Services, Blog, and Contact. There may be subpages of different services provided.
Visual sitemaps assist designers and clients to get a visual representation of the way users will navigate the site. They also assist in determining whether the structure of a particular site is overly complex or the site lacks key pages.
XML Sitemaps
XML sitemap is a file that has been generated to be used by search engines such as Google and Bing. It will show every one of the pages of your site, plus information about each page of the site, including how often it has been updated and how frequently.
Although users do not get access to XML sitemaps, they are important in search engine optimization (SEO) since they assist the search engines to locate and index your web site in a more efficient way.
Why Sitemaps Are Important in Web Design
The sitemap may appear to be a minor component of the web design, but it has a considerable effect. This is why any modern site has to have one.
Improves User Experience
Proper sitemap will make sure that the users can locate their search easily. Visitors who are able to navigate easily over your site will have more chances to spend a little longer time on your site, visit more pages as well as take action, say purchase your product or call your business.
Enhances SEO and Search Engine Crawling
Search engines employ the use of bots (or crawlers) to search through your site. An XML sitemap is used to provide directions to these bots on your content; they will not miss any significant page. This will be very useful when dealing with large websites, online stores or sites whose content is updated frequently.
Streamlines the Design and Development Process
To the designers and developers, a sitemap serves as a road map to site building. It assists teams to know the flow of content, page hierarchy and user paths prior to any coding is done. This avoids confusion, fewer revisions and ensures the project is of course organized at the beginning to the end.
Supports Website Maintenance
When your site is expanding, it may be difficult to monitor all the pages. A sitemap would make it easy to manage change, broken links and keep a current structure as time goes by.
Key Elements of a Good Sitemap
Site mapping is not simply a matter of listing pages.
In order to be effective, it must contain such essential components as:
Homepage – The main point on your site.
Primary Pages – Main pages such as About, Services or Products.
Subpages – Supporting pages to each main section.
Blog/News Section – Arranged according to the categories or subject.
Contact Page – A direct contact link to users.
Other details that can be provided in an XML sitemap include the last date when a given page was updated, how frequently it is updated, and the most important pages. This information is used to make search engines know how frequently they should visit your site.
How to Create a Sitemap
Creating a sitemap doesn’t have to be complicated, Here’s a simple approach for both types:
For Visual Sitemaps
List All Your Content
Begin by determining all the pages you will require on your site-core pages and sub-pages.
Group Related Pages
Place like pages within a single main section in order to have a clear hierarchy.
Use a Tool or Sketch
You may utilize online sitemaps tools or can even draw it on a piece of paper. The idea is to observe the connection of all your pages.
Review and Simplify
Be plain and rational–do not be chained up with levels and complicated organization.
For XML Sitemaps
Use an Automatic Generator
XML sitemaps can be generated automatically by a number of website platforms and SEO tools.
Submit to Search Engines
After making a sitemap, submit it to Google or Bing using their webmaster tools. This aids in faster search engine results.
Keep It Updated
You should update your sitemap whenever you add or delete pages.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Although sitemaps are not complex, errors may damage your search engine and user experience.
Avoid these common mistakes:
- Having too many layers in the structure.
- Leaving off updating the sitemap with significant changes in the site.
- Failure to provide the XML sitemap to search engines.
- Adding duplicate links and broken links.
Best Practices for an Effective Sitemap
Best practices in order to make the most of your sitemap, consider the following best practices:
- Always maintain a clean and orderly sitemap.
- Included only important and available pages.
- On individual pages use descriptive and clear URLs.
- Check and update your sitemap regularly as your site changes.
- Never forget to submit your XML sitemap to search engines once there has been any major changes.
Bill Yeager, Co-Owner of High Point SEO & Marketing in CT
