Sitemap
A file that lists all your website pages for Google to find.
The Tradie Take
A sitemap is like giving Google a map of your workshop with every tool cabinet labelled. Instead of the apprentice (Googlebot) wandering around opening random drawers, they can go straight to the right cabinet. "Ah, roof repair - that's in the blog section. Plumbing services - that's over there."
Definition
A sitemap is a file (usually XML) that lists all the important pages on your website. You submit it to Google Search Console (and other search engines) to help them discover and index your content. It's especially important if your site is new, has lots of pages, or has pages that aren't well-linked internally. Think of it as a directory you give Google so it knows exactly what pages exist.
How It Works
- 1 Your sitemap lists all the URLs you want Google to know about
- 2 It can include metadata like when the page was last updated and how important it is
- 3 You submit the sitemap URL to Google Search Console
- 4 Googlebot uses it as a starting point for crawling your site
Tips for Tradies
- Most website builders generate sitemaps automatically
- Submit your sitemap in Google Search Console
- Include only important pages - don't add every tag or category page