When we build or redesign your new website a sitemap is key. It’s more than just a list of pages; it’s a guide for search engines and users. Many clients ask about this so let’s talk about what to do and what to avoid with your sitemap using examples.
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First things first, let’s quickly go over what a sitemap actually is. A sitemap is like a blueprint of your website, outlining all the main and secondary pages. There are two types of sitemaps: an HTML sitemap and an XML sitemap. An HTML sitemap is more human friendly, for users and provides a quick overview of a website’s structure, so search engine bots and human visitors can navigate through the site.
An XML sitemap is structured for search engine crawling and indexing, so search engines can understand your site’s structure. It helps search engines like Google index your site faster and guide users through your content. If you want to read more about what a sitemap is, check out our previous blog on what a website sitemap means.
➡️ Dev Tip: To ensure search engines know about your sitemap, you need to submit the index file to both Google Search Console and Bing Webmaster Tools.
Creating a clear sitemap is needed for organizing your website effectively, so here’s how we do it – so that you know what to expect:
When creating your sitemap, you first need to decide which pages to include. Here at The Roadmap we always say to exclude pages that don’t fit with your website’s focus. This helps search engines index only the pages that will help increase your online visibility and engage your users.
Why it Matters: Including unnecessary pages not only dilutes your site’s SEO but also confuses users by presenting them with content that doesn’t match their expectations. By curating your sitemap carefully you create a streamlined user experience that guides users to relevant content and increases conversions and repeat visits.
Example: Imagine you have an e-commerce site with behind-the-scenes pages like user login portals or internal employee dashboards. While these pages are important for running your site, they’re not relevant for search engines or regular site visitors looking for product information or valuable content. By using the noindex tag for such pages, we make sure they don’t appear in search results, keeping the focus on content that drives traffic and sales.
Optimizing your sitemap is key to both SEO and user satisfaction. This means organizing pages with clear and descriptive labels that make sense for search engines and humans.
Why it Matters: A well optimized sitemap increases your site’s visibility in search engine results pages (SERPs) by making it easier for search engines to understand and index your content. It also improves user experience by making navigation intuitive, helping users find relevant info quickly and easily.
Example: Consider a blog section where posts are labeled generically as “Post 1,” “Post 2,” etc. Such labels provide little context about the content, making it challenging for search engines to determine relevance and for users to identify topics of interest. By renaming these entries to descriptive titles like “Beginner’s Guide to SEO” or “Top Social Media Trends for 2024,” we not only enhance SEO by incorporating relevant keywords but also improve user engagement by clearly communicating the content’s value.
Know your audience! We want each visitor to find content that’s relevant and valuable to them.
Why it Matters: Audience segmentation in your sitemap acknowledges the different interests and needs of your users. By organizing content into sections that cater to specific demographics or user personas you increase engagement and satisfaction and drive conversions and loyalty.
Example: Your site serves both new users looking for introductory info and expert professionals looking for advanced insights. Segmenting your sitemap into categories like “Getting Started” and “Advanced Techniques” directs each group to content that’s relevant to their level of knowledge. This not only reduces search time for users but also positions your site as a resource that caters to different audience needs.
Your top navigation is the main guide for visitors, pointing them to the key areas of your site. Cluttering this navigation with unnecessary links confuses users and obscures your site’s message and offerings.
Why it Matters: A clutter-free top navigation streamlines the user journey, making it easier for visitors to navigate your site and find the information they seek. By prioritizing essential pages aligned with your business objectives, you enhance user satisfaction and improve the likelihood of achieving your conversion goals.
Example: For instance, a consultancy firm’s top navigation might feature links to crucial sections like “Services,” “Case Studies,” “About Us,” and “Contact.” These links provide immediate access to vital information without overwhelming visitors with less relevant content such as “Company News” or “Careers,” which can be placed in less prominent areas like the footer.
Dropdown menus can help with site navigation by organizing complex hierarchies into categories. But misuse, like overcrowded sub-menus or mobile unfriendly designs, can harm user experience instead of helping.
Why it Matters: Dropdown menus should simplify, not complicate, navigation. They should provide clear paths to content without overwhelming users with too many options or complex structures especially on mobile where space is limited.
Example: If your website features a “Services” dropdown, we ensure it displays primary categories like “SEO,” “Content Marketing,” and “Social Media Management” with clear paths to detailed service pages. Avoiding excessive sub-menus ensures users can access information efficiently, enhancing overall usability and satisfaction.
A sitemap is a vital step in building a successful website, as it ensures that your content is organized, accessible, and optimized for both users and search engines. If you’re looking for more insights on website structure and user experience, check out our other blogs on UX and Information Hierarchy and What is a Website Sitemap.
Start with a free website checkup, or contact us today to get started! Our team at The Roadmap is here to assist you every step of the way.
