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CREATING A SITEMAP
There are 2 types of sitemaps:
1. A web page that you create that provides visitors with a listing of every page within the site and has links to those pages. This is also beneficial for the search engines.
2. Google sitemap - This one is code that is inserted into the root directory of your site to make it simpler for the search bots to travel through your site and index the pages.
- Before proceeding with this it is a good idea to go to Google and create an account.
Create a new page in SiteBuilder.
Title it SiteMap
Use text boxes and enter the name of each page within the site. You can add a brief description of the key pages or just the page names. Link each of those to their respective page in the site. Add a text link on at least the Home page to your SiteMap page. This site uses a SiteMap link in the navigation.
Example 1: Sitemap Page
Example 2: Sitemap with descriptions
Next go to xml-sitemaps to generate a Google sitemap for your Homestead site.
Follow the steps shown on the page to create your sitemap. Recommended settings are:
- Enter your full site address - if you use the www be sure to include it and if you don't be sure to leave it out.
- Change frequency - Monthly is adequate unless you are updating on a more frequent basis.
- Last Modification - Use server's response
- Priority - Automatic
- You should then see something like: Manage http:// your site name and to the right of that a link to Add a Sitemap. Click on that link.
- You get a drop down box asking you to Choose Type. Select Add General Web Sitemap
- A list drops down and there is a space for you to fill in the address of your sitemap.
If all has gone well in placing the file in your directory the address should be:
http://www.your site address.com/sitemap.xml
Having done that you should receive a message telling you that 1 sitemap has been added.
If you receive an error message it is probably due to having imported the .xml file you created into the wrong place - it has to go in the root directory in order for Google to find it.
Once the sitemap has been generated you will see a screen like the example at right.
Step 1 - Click on the link 'here' and save the file where you can easily find it. The desktop is always a good choice!
Open SiteBuilder and either import the file or drag it into your file. It needs to be placed in the root directory in your File Manager in SiteBuilder.
Publish the file.
Step 2 - Click on the link that reads "Google Webmaster Account".
TIP:: If you add or delete pages in your site be sure to create a new site map. Delete the old site map from your root directory and add the new one. Publish. It is not necessary to submit it again to Google, although you do have the option of resubmitting if you choose to.
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