Tips on Designing a Sitemap

How a search engine works? How this search tool could direct you to several websites, it must be fascinating figuring out that are relevant to your keywords. Where the link that supposedly contains your keywords is not exactly what you have in mind? Probably you would think that there must be something wrong that it generated irrelevant results with the search engine.

How does a search engine work?
In making search engines work efficiently and effectively, two things figure greatly : the sitemap and the electronic search spider.

What is a sitemap?
Basically a sitemap is a page or pages that serves as a directory by listing all the links to all files and documents found in a website. Not merely a random listing of links, but it is also organized in such a way that it gives an idea to the web user of how all the information that can be found in the site fits into an outline or framework. It is like viewing the ‘concept map’ of the site’s content or viewing the table of contents of a book.

What is a spider?
Spider is not an animal in SEO language, found in your closet. Actually, this electronic search spider is a bot which copies content and collects data to be stored in the search engine’s database when keywords are fed into the search dialogue box. The spider reads the content of the site and sends another bot to follow the links and copy the content contained in them.

What purpose does a sitemap serve?
Like any other map, a sitemap gives directions to a navigator. Primarily it targets search engine spiders so that they are properly directed to your site and to the links where keywords entered in the search dialogue appears. It is actually a useful tool in search engine optimization. A well organized site map needs when keywords are entered and would guide the spider to find the information during a search operation.

Sitemaps have proven to be useful even to web users as an additional beneficial consequence. It helps the user to search for a particular topic in mind since a sitemap displays all the links to information found in a website. To navigate between pages in a site, many users also use the sitemap.

The benefits of having a sitemap for website:

1. No page would be left unturned
Having one would mean easier and faster crawling and tracking of spiders all over your site. Search engines would surely get to the view all the pages of your site as a result and not just the pages containing random keywords.

2. Site visitors easier navigation
They need not go back to the search engine page, once a web user has accessed your sitemap, to look for what they need. Then they would have a faster and an easier way of locating it if what they are looking for is in your site.

3. Advertising potential value
It would be easier for them if it so happens that a relevant service or product company reaches your site, then as a paid page advertisement to see how best they can position themselves in the different pages of your site.

4. Encourage your site to greater traffic
Potential buyers would have an easier time if your company website has a sitemap in accessing your latest services and products. They would not miss out, moreover, on any product since the sitemap would display all information found the site that might be off future interest to them.

How are the format of sitemaps?
At least there are three major types of sitemaps: indexed, full categorical, and restricted categorical. An indexed site map appears as a directory or an alphabetical listing.
A full categorical map displays all links classified into categories, while a restricted categorical sitemap displays all links listed in a chosen category at a time. It has very similar between the full and restricted sitemaps are except that the former displays all links in all categories all at once in a page, while the latter focuses only the links under the selected category for easier and less eye-straining viewing.

The full categorical is the most widely used format. The full categorical format is most preferred by users, based on the results of a 1999 SURL study on sitemap designs, since it allows easier comparison among and between categories and it is easier to search for topics within the site and

Some setting up tips in your sitemap

1. Only to your homepage to link the sitemap .
This is to ensure that to all the pages listed in your sitemap, the spider starts searching from your homepage down. No page would be left unvisited by the spider in this way.

2. For a sitemap, do not go beyond 30 pages.
Should not go beyond 30 since this adds more pages to the site, large websites having 50 or more pages and might make search engines think that the sitemap is a link farm. In addition, this prevents overcrowding of links which could be tiring to view.

3. Check all your sitemap links listed.
When you click on a link only to find out that nothing is displayed, it can be discouraging . Just make a test to your sitemap, to make sure that all links are indeed linked to the right page, click all links in every page.

4. Give sitemap links a keyword-rich titles
In being searched properly under the right category, keyword-rich titles give your site more advantage. Be sure to have this sitemap link linked back to the sitemap.

5. For the links in the sitemap, provide a short description
It is a better idea of what to find in the link and save them time on surfing.

6. With the other pages of the site, be consistent in designing your sitemap
To establish identity and build character to your website, employ a recurring design and the same HTML template for all pages.

It is time for you to build one for your site.

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