A sitemap is a crucial element in SEO it helps search engines to better understand your website structure. Therefore, having a proper knowledge of how to build and submit sitemap to search engines is a necessity for any SEO professionals or website administrator. Today, within this digital column we are going to explain you the best methodology to create sitemap manually and automatically. Secondly, within this blog we will uncover the detailed guide to submit sitemap to search engines like Bing, Google and Brave. However, before moving forward to the actual guide it is equally import to have some basic understanding of sitemaps.
To build and submit sitemap to search engines initially we have to write sitemap of our website using the appropriate sitemap structure. Thereafter, we need to add our sitemap link to robots.txt file and submit the sitemap to search engines using appropriate webmaster tool.
What is Sitemap in SEO & How it Affects Website Indexing?
A sitemap is file that list all important website URLs. Basically, it helps search engines to discover and crawl your website for indexing. The most common sitemap format that are accepted by search engines is .xml file format. Although, there more sitemap format that are used by SEO community such as XML sitemap, Video sitemap, HTML sitemap, and TXT sitemap. However, the most effective sitemap for your website is XML sitemap. Since, XML sitemap have the functionality to prioritize webpages based on defined levels. This will ensure search engines not to miss out any important webpage for indexing.
Most Effective Solution to Build Sitemap for Website
Users can use the all-in-one utility i.e. SitemapBuddy Sitemap Generator. Since, when we are talking about the most effective solution it means the effectiveness in all terms like security, efficiency, accuracy, manual customization in sitemap, etc. This desktop-based utility is developed by keeping all the user requirement on priority. Users can use this tool to make sitemap in XML, HTML, TXT format. Now let’s look for the quick working steps of this expert methodology to build a sitemap for website.
How to Create Sitemap.xml for Website? Step-by-Step Guide
- At the start, download and install the recommended utility on your local PC.
- Now, enter the domain URL of your website in URL section and click on Crawl button.
- After that, when crawling will complete go the settings option and set settings accordingly.
- Next, check there is no broken links in the website by clicking on URL >> Broken Links.
- Then, fix the broken link on website or exclude the URL from sitemap in Settings tab.
- Lastly, click on the export >> XML sitemap button and save the sitemap in desired location.
DIY Approach for How to Write a Sitemap
To write a sitemap manually you need to create a .xml file first. Now, add the URL of the website into the XML file. Rember to add appropriate tags like <urlset>, <url>, <loc>, <lastmod> and <priority>. Below is the detailed guide to build sitemap manually along with the example structure.
How to Create Sitemap Manually With 100% Accuracy?
- At the start, open any file editor that support XML file format.
- Next, one by one copy each of the URL of your website in below mentioned format. “<url>
<loc>https://www.yoursite.com/page</loc>
<lastmod>2024-11-06</lastmod>
<priority>1.0</priority>
</url>”.
- Then, save the XML format on your local storage and add it to your domains root folder.
Drawbacks of Using Manual Techniques
The manual looks to be very simple and short to build and submit sitemap to search engines. However, it involves very time-consuming task in its backend. The most essential task is to one-by-one list all URL of website. The second hectic task is the manually add last modify date and priority with respect to webpage. Moreover, as the DIY approach is completely manual it involves high risk of human error which may result in bad website indexing and visibility.
Best Practices for Sitemap Optimization in Modern SEO
Some of the common tips for sitemap optimization in modern SEO are:
- Using limited URL in a sitemap i.e. maximum to 50,000.
- The sitemap must to exclude to the size of 50 MBs.
- Regularly update your sitemap for better website indexing and visibility.
How to Build and Submit Sitemap to Search Engines?
Till now we have uncovered how to build a sitemap for your website. Now, we will continue our discussion for how to submit sitemap to search engines. Search engines like Google, Bing, Brave, etc. Provides a webmaster console to easily track your website performance and errors. Using these consoles users can easily submit sitemap to search engine. Now, let’s look for the guide to submit sitemap for some of the famous search engines in detailed structured manner.
Note: Before moving forward ensure you have already login and approve your ownership in the respected webmaster console.
How to Submit Sitemap to Google Search Engine?
- At the start, login to the Google Search Console using required credentials.
- Now, from the search property tab please select your domain.
- Next, go to the Sitemaps option under indexing tag from the left corner menu.
- Then, enter the URL of your sitemap in provided link box and click on submit button.
- Finally, you have successfully submitted sitemap to Google search engine.
Guide to Submit Sitemap to Bing by Microsoft.
- First, open Bing Webmaster tool and login to it with required credentials.
- Then, from the home page please select your domain.
- Next, click on the sitemap options form the left-side menu.
- Now, click on add sitemap button and enter URL of your sitemap in pop-up.
- Finally, click on submit button to submit sitemap to Bing.
Best Methodology to Submit your Sitemap to Brave Search
Similar to other search engines Brave search do not offer any webmaster tool to submit sitemap manually. However, by making sure have added the sitemap link in your robots.txt file. Secondly, it is also equally important to add user agent to universal so that any search engine can crawl robots.txt file. Please use the below mentioned format in your robots.txt format to effectively crawl your sitemap by search engines.
“User-agent: *
Disallow:
Sitemap: https://www.yoursite.com/sitemap.xml”
Tips and Tricks to Troubleshoot Common Sitemap Issues
Sitemap Not Indexed: Double check your sitemap link if it is submitted correctly in webmaster tools as described in the above guide.
Too Many URLs in Sitemap: Ensure that your sitemap does not exceed maximum limit of 50,000 URLs in a single sitemap. If it is exceeds split the sitemap accordingly. Additionally, ensure that sitemap links are properly mentioned in robots.txt file.
Invalid URLs: Ensure that all the URLs are valid and show 200 ok status. If any URL in your sitemap is not properly crawlable it will through issues in your sitemap.
To Summarize
In conclusion of the above blog on the topic how to build and submit sitemap to search engines. We have initially discussed about the sitemap and its role in website indexing. Thereafter, we have discovered the manual and automated method to build sitemap with detailed step-by-step guide. Secondly, we have seen the approach to submit sitemap search engines like Brave, Google, and Bing. Moreover, we have discussed some of the best practices for sitemap optimization as per the latest SEO trends. Lastly, we have uncovered the tips and tricks to troubleshoot common sitemap errors.
