How to create a website sitemap that helps achieve your business goals
December 17, 2022 — Simon Kelly
Are you struggling to get your website noticed by search engines and your target audience? Creating a website sitemap might be the solution you’ve been looking for.
In this post, we’ll explain what a sitemap is, why it’s important, and how to create one that will help your website achieve your business goals. We’ll cover what a sitemap is used for, the benefits of having a sitemap, and how to create one step by step, including tips and tools to make the process easier.
What is a sitemap, and why is it important?
A sitemap is a list of pages on your website and their relationship to each other. Search engines use it to discover and understand the content on your website and make it more visible in search results.
Having a sitemap is important for several reasons:
- It helps search engines understand your website’s structure and content, making it more likely to appear in search results and attract visitors.
- It’s a valuable tool for planning and organizing your website, making it easier to add new content and navigate.
It’s important to note that a sitemap differs from your main menu, which is a list of pages appearing in your website’s navigation bar. Your sitemap includes all pages on your website, while your menu only includes the pages you want visitors to see and access.
Benefits of having a sitemap
There are several benefits to having a sitemap for your website:
- Improves navigation: A sitemap helps visitors find what they’re looking for on your website by providing a clear structure and hierarchy of pages.
- Saves time and money: Having a sitemap makes adding new content to your website easier and more cost-effective, as all pages are already planned and identified.
- Increases conversions: A well-organized website with straightforward navigation leads to a better user experience and can increase conversions, leads, and overall business growth.
- Makes working with web design agencies easier: A sitemap is a critical step when working with a web design agency, as it helps identify the project scope and allows for more accurate proposals and delivery on budget and on time.
How to create a sitemap
Follow these steps to create a sitemap for your website:
- Gather your content and pages
- List the core pages and types of content you’ll have on your website
- List the individual pieces of content within each type
- Decide the structure and hierarchy for your pages
- Check with a professional web designer or digital marketer for feedback and guidance
- Make your sitemap visually appealing with tools like Figma, Octopus.do, or Flowmapp
Pro tip: List the content that will appear on each page to better understand your website’s structure and content.
Wrapping up
In this post, we’ve explained what a sitemap is and why it’s important for your website. We’ve also provided a step-by-step guide on creating a sitemap, including tips and tools to make the process easier.
A sitemap is a valuable tool for improving the visibility and organization of your website. Following the steps outlined in this post, you can create a sitemap to help your website achieve your business goals.
Author
Simon Kelly
Simon started his first web agency in 2009 which he merged with the SGD team in 2023. With a strong background in digital strategy and a history of working with fast-growing Australian companies, including CyberCX, Envato and Agency Mavericks, he's passionate about using ethical digital marketing that delivers business value. Simon's experience includes coaching digital agencies, running digital marketing workshops, driving growth and excellence within the SGD team.
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