What is a SiteMap and how do you create one for your website?

Learn how to create a SiteMap to improve your SEO and the indexing of your site by Google. Complete guide with tools and practical advice.

A SiteMap is a key element for any website who wants to improve their natural referencing (SEO). But why is it so important and above all, how to create a SiteMap effectively to optimize your website and improve user navigation? In this article, we explain in detail the importance of the SiteMap, the different types that exist, and the essential steps to create one easily.

What is SiteMap?

A SiteMap is a file that lists all the important pages on a website to help users search engines like Google to index them better. It allows crawlers to understand the site structure and to ensure that no essential page goes unnoticed.

A SiteMap is not only useful for search engines, it can also help users better navigate your site, especially with an HTML SiteMap.

Types of SiteMap

There are two main types of SiteMaps:

1. XML SiteMap: This format is intended for search engines and allows you to structure all the pages of the site in a hierarchical manner. It also informs Google about the date of update of the pages and their relative importance.
2. HTML SiteMap: Intended for visitors, this type of SiteMap is often an accessible page that lists all sections of the site to help users navigate.

SEO Tip: For maximum optimization, it is recommended to use both types of SiteMaps on your site.

Why is a SiteMap essential for your SEO?

Creating a SiteMap is a crucial step for the natural referencing of a site. Here are the main advantages:

• ✅ Facilitates indexing: Search engines detect your new pages and changes more quickly.
• ✅ Improves navigation: An HTML SiteMap helps users find what they are looking for.
• ✅ Optimizes visibility: It strengthens the positioning of important pages in Google.
• ✅ Facilitates the discovery of orphan pages: Some pages that are not well connected via internal links can be discovered using the SiteMap.

How to create a SiteMap in a few simple steps?

Step 1: Identify all pages to include

Before generating your SiteMap, identify the most important pages on your site. Exclude unnecessary or duplicate pages to avoid wasting Google's crawl budget.

Step 2: Generate an XML SiteMap

There are several free and powerful tools to create an XML SiteMap in minutes:

• Google XML Sitemaps (plugin WordPress)
• Yoast SEO (WordPress plugin)
• XML-Sitemaps.com (online tool)
• Screaming Frog (SEO audit software)

Example of XML format:

Step 3: Create an HTML SiteMap for Visitors

Unlike the XML SiteMap intended for search engines, the HTML SiteMap is a simple navigation page accessible to users. It can be designed by listing the main sections of the site as links.

Example of HTML structure:

Step 4: Validate your SiteMap

Once your XML file is generated, make sure it is error-free using a tool like:

• Google Search Console
• Screaming Frog
• XML Sitemap Validator

Step 5: Submit your SiteMap to Google and Bing

After validation, submit your XML SiteMap to search engines:

On Google Search Console:

1. Go to Google Search Console.
2. Select your site.
3. Click on “Sitemaps” in the left menu.
4. Enter the URL of your SiteMap (example: https://www.your-site.com/sitemap.xml).
5. Click “Submit”.

On Bing Webmaster Tools:

1. Log in to Bing Webmaster Tools.
2. Select your site.
3. Go to “Sitemaps”.
4. Add the URL and click “Submit”.

Step 6: Update your SiteMap regularly

A SiteMap should not be frozen! Update it every time there is a major change to your site:

• Adding new pages
• Removing obsolete content
• Structural changes to the site

WordPress and some CMS can automate this update using plugins like Yoast SEO.

Best practices for an efficient SiteMap

• ✅ Limit the size to 50,000 URLs per XML file (otherwise split it into multiple files).
• ✅ Use semantic tags ( , , ) to optimize indexing.
• ✅ Make sure your SiteMap is accessible to Google (robots.txt should not block it).
• ✅ Do not overload the SiteMap with unnecessary pages (avoid “Noindex” pages).
• ✅ Optimize internal link structure to strengthen site navigation.

Our opinion: a SiteMap is a powerful asset for SEO

A well-designed SiteMap not only improves Google's indexing of your site but also makes it easier for visitors to navigate. It is therefore essential to create one, optimize it and keep it updated regularly.

If you want to go further and benefit from a complete SEO strategy, the DualMedia web agency can support you in the creation and optimization of your SiteMap