A sitemap is created for a website to provide an overview of the website and what can be found on it. Think of it as a road map with sign posts to help search engines find it and therefore help to attract web visitors.
An sitemap is an important factor for ranking your website in the search engine results pages (SERPs) such as Google. This list of all your webpages helps to give access to web crawlers. Ultimately, a sitemap helps navigation around your website for both visitors and search engines.
Sitemaps allow web developers to list links from the website so that both search engines and people can find a website. A sitemap means that pages such as forms or login pages can also be listed therefore helping search engine crawlers find the pages.
Why easy web navigation helps with SEO
Search engine optimisation (SEO) is a key success factor in creating a website. In order to optimise your website, you need to start with the foundations of your website including your sitemap.
The two different sitemaps are XML files (for search engine crawlers) and HTML (for people to improve navigation for visitors).
A search engine optimised sitemap provides easy navigation capability. It means visitors (both search engine and human) should be able to find what they need without having to access multiple web pages.
If a website user can access website information easily, then there is more chance that they will revisit, share the website details and recommend your products or services. This sitemap helps to create this user-friendly experience to attract more web traffic.
When should you develop a sitemap
Ideally, a sitemap should be developed at design stage in collaboration with your web developer. A proposal for a website should reference website optimisation and a sitemap should form part of this.
Our blog on web design guidelines can help you create an attractive website, it covers:
- What functionality the website should have
- Website design considerations
- SEO
- Website security
Website design Croydon
We’re a web developer and designer based in Croydon. We work with local businesses to develop websites that are optimised. We provide a professional web design service to your specification or we can update your current website. We create CMS platform (content management system) websites as this provides an easy option to upload future content and make changes going forward. Book a consultation.
Why not take advantage of our FREE website review so you can look at ways to optimise your website.
Website design and development is part of our overall digital marketing agency services to help businesses improve online presence. Our services include:- SEO audits, SEO strategy, local SEO, social media, email marketing and Pay Per Click (PPC) advertising.