What is a sitemap?

Sitemaps are used specifically in the management of websites and their purpose is to notify search engines of all URL’s or website addresses which are available for “crawling”; the process in which a search engine bot visits the website to extract all of the data located within.

To facilitate “crawling”, the webmaster or website designer/manager is able to expand on the content of each page in detail and let the search engine know which pages are more important in navigation.

The sitemap places all of the URL's into a text file which, from a search engine’s perspective, makes the process of indexing the website much easier. The text file is therefore, in effect, the gateway to your website.

So why is a sitemap so important? Surely Google can see my web pages without one?

Search engines are indeed very intelligent but having a sitemap is the equivalent of driving a car to your destination instead of walking. Moreover, having the opportunity of indexing a sitemap means that your website is, basically, far quicker and more efficient than websites that do not.

In short......You need a sitemap! So, if you do not have one, we would highly recommend that you speak to either your current provider or, at the very least, make sure that during your next web project you ensure this is included!

All of the websites we design include this feature as standard and to read more about the features of our Property websites, please visit our Property website information page for further details.