Step-by-Step Process to Generate a Sitemap and Submit It to Your Website and Google Search Console
Understanding and submitting your sitemap is crucial for SEO success. A sitemap tells search engines how your website is structured and which pages are most important. This guide walks you through generating a sitemap, submitting it to your website and Google Search Console, and resolving common errors.
What is a Sitemap?
A sitemap is an XML file that lists all the pages on your website that you want search engines like Google to crawl and index. It includes important metadata such as the priority of pages, how frequently they’re updated, and the last modification date.
Step-by-Step: How to Generate a Sitemap
STEP 1: Choose a Sitemap Generator Tool
You can create a sitemap manually or use tools like:
- Yoast SEO (for WordPress)
- XML Sitemaps Generator
- Screaming Frog SEO Spider
- Rank Math (WordPress plugin)
STEP 2: Install and Configure the Plugin or Tool
If you’re using a plugin like Yoast or Rank Math on WordPress:
- Install the plugin from your dashboard.
- Go to plugin settings → Features → Enable XML Sitemaps.
- Click the sitemap link to view it. It usually ends in /sitemap_index.xml.
For XML Sitemaps Generator:
- Enter your website URL.
- Choose frequency (e.g., daily, weekly).
- Set priority (0.0 to 1.0, where 1.0 is most important).
- Click “Start” to generate the sitemap.
- Download the sitemap.xml file.
STEP 3: Prioritize Pages in the Sitemap
When generating a sitemap, prioritize key pages:
- Home Page: Priority 1.0
- Product/Service Pages: Priority 0.8 – 1.0
- Blog Category Pages: Priority 0.6 – 0.8
- Older Blog Posts: Priority 0.3 – 0.5
Most sitemap generators allow you to assign priorities.
STEP 4: Upload Sitemap to Your Website
- If you used a plugin, it’s already live.
- If you generated it manually:
- Upload the sitemap.xml file to the root directory of your site (e.g., yourwebsite.com/sitemap.xml) via FTP or your hosting cPanel.
Want an expert to setup your sitemap?
We can Help
Step-by-Step: How to Submit Sitemap to Google Search Console
STEP 1: Go to Google Search Console
STEP 2: Log in with your Google Account and select your property (website).
STEP 3: In the left-hand menu, click on “Sitemaps”.
STEP 4: Under “Add a new sitemap”, enter the last part of your sitemap URL. For example, if it’s https://yourwebsite.com/sitemap.xml, enter sitemap.xml.
STEP 5: Click “Submit”.
Google will now crawl the sitemap and begin indexing the URLs included in it.
Want an expert to setup your sitemap?
We can Help
Common Errors & How to Fix Them
1. Sitemap Couldn’t Be Read
- Cause: Invalid format, blocked by robots.txt, or not accessible.
- Fix: Validate your sitemap using tools like XML Sitemap Validator. Ensure the URL is correct and accessible.
2. Sitemap Index is Missing
- Cause: If you’re using sitemap index files (with multiple sitemaps), ensure they’re correctly linked.
- Fix: Check if the individual sitemaps exist and are valid.
3. Submitted URL Not Found (404)
- Cause: The page is missing or has been removed.
- Fix: Remove the non-existent URL from your sitemap or redirect it appropriately.
4. Sitemap Blocked by robots.txt
- Cause: The sitemap URL is disallowed in your robots.txt file.
- Fix: Edit your robots.txt and ensure you include:
- Sitemap: https://yourwebsite.com/sitemap.xml
5. Parsing Error
- Cause: Incorrect syntax in the sitemap file.
- Fix: Use a sitemap validator or regenerate the sitemap using a trusted tool.
6. URLs Not Indexed
- Cause: Thin content, no backlinks, or duplicate content.
- Fix: Improve content quality, promote the page, and avoid duplicate URLs.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. How often should I update my sitemap?
A: Update your sitemap whenever you add, remove, or significantly modify content on your website.
Q2. Can I have multiple sitemaps for one website?
A: Yes, especially if your website has many pages. Use a sitemap index to manage them.
Q3. What’s the difference between an HTML sitemap and an XML sitemap?
A: An HTML sitemap is for users to navigate your site. An XML sitemap is for search engines to crawl and index your content.
Q4. Do I need a sitemap for a small website?
A: Even small websites benefit from sitemaps, especially if there are pages not well linked internally.
Q5. How long does Google take to crawl a new sitemap?
A: It varies, but typically within a few days. You can speed it up by submitting it directly in Search Console.
Q6. Should I include noindex pages in my sitemap?
A: No. Avoid including pages you don’t want indexed. Keep your sitemap clean for SEO.
Final Words
Creating and submitting your sitemap is a foundational step in SEO. It ensures search engines can properly crawl and index your website. Regularly update your sitemap, especially when you add new content, and monitor its status in Google Search Console.
At Growth Accelerators, we help businesses optimize every SEO detail from sitemap configuration to full-scale technical audits. Let us help you grow.
Need help with SEO? Contact us today!
Author
