|
|
Like this article? PLEASE +1 it! |
|
9 Tips for Creating a Site Map for Visitors and Spiders
Written by: Stoney G deGeyterArticle Overview: Not every site needs a site map, they can certainly be a good idea. Site maps provide a dual purpose: They provide search engine spiders easy access to all of your site pages and they provide site visitors easy access to all of your site pages. The difference is that search engines and visitors access your site map differently and therefore there are different methods that need to be applied to creating site map(s) that are friendly for both engines and search spiders.
![]() |
Free Download - 6 Quick and Easy Accessibility Issues That Make Your Visitors Happy By Stoney G deGeyter |
9 Tips for Creating a Site Map for Visitors and Spiders
Not every site needs a site map, they can certainly be a good idea. Site maps provide a dual purpose: They provide search engine spiders easy access to all of your site pages and they provide site visitors easy access to all of your site pages. The difference is that search engines and visitors access your site map differently and therefore there are different methods that need to be applied to creating site map(s) that are friendly for both engines and search spiders.
Small sites typically don't need a site map so long as all pages are linked in the main navigation. Once you get into main and sub-navigation menu's then site maps are helpful in allowing search engines and visitors to quickly find anything they are looking for within just a couple of clicks. A single site map can be used for both purposes or multiple site maps can be created. Here we'll address creating site maps for spiders and humans separately.
*** Site Map For Spiders ***
--- .xml file ---
An .xml document should be added to your site's root directory containing links to all site pages. This .xml file should then be referenced should be compiled and placed into a proper .xml document which should be uploaded into the root directory.
--- Robots.txt file ---
With your .xml site map file in place you must then make it accessible to search spiders. Reference the site map in your robots.txt file by adding a line for sitemap: URL (example: sitemap: http://www.polepositionmarketing.com/sitemap.xml)
--- Keep current ---
Be sure that your .xml file is updated and uploaded frequently, or at least as often as pages are added or removed from your site. Large sites should implement an automated site map update monthly or even weekly or daily.
*** Site Map For Visitors ***
--- Navigation links ---
A site map designed for human visitors is just like any other website page. Link to the site map page should be included in the primary navigation or the sites global footer. Visitors should be able to find this link without too much searching.
--- Additional page links ---
Site map should also be linked from various pages within the site such as Help pages and your custom 404-redirect page. This helps point visitors to the site map as a quick and easy means to find what they need.
--- Overview ---
It's helpful to provide a short overview paragraph at the top of your site map page. This can be a nice introduction should someone land on this page directly from a search engine or elsewhere.
--- Heading and layout ---
The layout of the site map should present a clear visual hierarchal structure or your website. Both headings and sub-headings should be used above properly grouped links.
--- Text links & descriptions ---
Site map should primarily use textual links and page should not be cluttered with images or other distractions. It is also a good idea to provide an additional short description (provided there is room) for each link that allows the visitor to better understand where each link will take them.
--- Keep current ---
Be sure that your site map is updated and uploaded frequently, or at least as often as pages are added or removed from your site.
As I said above, not every site needs a site map. But those that do should be sure that the site map(s) they create are actually benefiting them. And the best way to do that is to make sure your site maps provide maximum usability for visitors and search engine spiders.
Article Tags: dual purpose, easy access, global footer, human visitors, navigation menu, robots, root directory, search engine spiders, search engines, search spiders, single site, site map, site maps, url example, xml document
|
About the Author: Stoney G deGeyter RSS for Stoney's articles - Visit Stoney's website Stoney deGeyter leads a spectacular team of seasoned marketing experts at Pole Position Marketing, a Search Engine Marketing Company. Stoney started PPM in 1998 by finding the brightest minds in the industry and nurturing within them an intense desire to become leaders in their respective fields. With this team of professionals, he has built a wildly successful website marketing company that succeeds through both personal and professional integrity. You can read Stoney’s blog posts at the E-Marketing Performance blog and more of his work on several well-known SEO and marketing news sources including Search Engine Guide and Web Pro News. Stoney has authored two website marketing books: E-Marketing Performance: Effective strategies for building, optimizing, and marketing your website online and Keyword Research and Selection: The definitive guide to gathering, sorting and organizing your keywords into a high-performance SEO campaign. Click here to visit Stoney's website Sometimes Motivation Has to be Felt Converting Visitors Through Errors and Form Fields Lessons from Blockbuster Total Access Takes Another Minor Misstep Are Search Engine Rankings That Important 9 Tips for Creating a Site Map for Visitors and Spiders |
Related Forum Posts
Share this article with your friends. Fund someone's dream.
Leave a comment below or share on the left and you'll help support entrepreneurs in Africa through our partnership with Kiva. Over $50,000 raised and counting - Please keep sharing! Learn more.
Get advice & tips from famous business
owners, new articles by entrepreneur
experts, my latest website updates, &
special sneak peaks at what's to come!
Induction your first management job
How to develop the best lateral thinking skills
Live To Work Or Work To Live?
Email us your ideas on how to make our
website more valuable! Thank you Sharon
from Toronto Salsa Lessons / Classes for
your suggestions to make the newsletter
look like the website and profile younger
entrepreneurs like Jennifer Lopez.



