How to create a Sitemap

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There are several ways to create a Sitemap, depending on the size of the site and the level of user friendliness. Let's look at the main options.

Method of creating a Sitemap

Description

Suitable for

Advantages

Flaws

Online generators

XML-sitemaps.com and Slickplan services automatically generate Sitemaps

Small sites, blogs, sites with minimal setup requirements.

Quick creation without technical knowledge.

Simple process.

Free services.

Limited customization options.

Not suitable for sites with a large structure and complex requirements.

Plugins for CMS

Plugins for popular CMS (WordPress, Bitrix, Joomla) automatically create and update Sitemap. For example, Yoast SEO for WordPress or built-in tools in Bitrix .

Websites on WordPress, Bitrix, Joomla, OpenCart and other popular CMS.

Automate Sitemap creation and updating.

Flexibility in setting priorities and frequency of updates.

Integration with Google Search Console and other tools.

Requires installation, may require additional settings.

Dependency on plugin updates.

Manual creation

Creating a Sitemap manually in XML format with full customization of parameters. For example, creating a Sitemap using a text editor with the addition of <lastmod>, <changefreq>, <priority> tags.

Experienced users, sites with unique requirements.

Full control over settings and parameters, suitable for sites with non-standard structure.

You can fine-tune the scanning frequency and priorities for each page.

Requires XML knowledge and technical skills.

A labor-intensive process, it takes time to update austria whatsapp number database regularly.

How often should the file be updated?
An update is required every time changes occur in the project:

Adding new pages (eg publishing new articles or products).
Removing obsolete sections.
Changing the URL structure.
This allows search engines to detect changes in a timely manner and quickly add them to the index.

How to Optimize Sitemap Correctly and Effectively
What is optimization? These are two processes - eliminating errors and improving the current state, so you need to check the document regularly. The consequences can be significant, up to the lack of visibility of your site by anyone: neither robots nor people will notice it.

For checking, it is better to use Google Search Console and Yandex.Webmaster. They detect:

URL indexing errors.
Broken links.
Problems in XML structure.
Many sites contain errors in the Sitemap, which leads to a decrease in indexing and a deterioration in positions in search results. If you google the top most common mistakes in website promotion, this one will be in the ranking.

In order not to shoot yourself in the foot, it is enough to avoid the most typical mistakes. By these we mean the following: