Today is an exciting day. If you’ve been following along with our 19 steps to start a blog the right way, you are almost done! Today we are going to teach how to create an XML Sitemap in preparation for submitting your websites to search engines.
You could create your own sitemap following Google’s instructions, or use an online, sitemap generator. I have found that it is easier to use a plug-in. As bloggers, we add pages (posts) on a very regular basis and trying to keep a sitemap up to date takes a lot of effort and time. Time spent on content rather than a sitemap is time better spent.
I use the Google XML Sitemaps (with an s) by Arne Brachhold. Even though it has Google in the name, it is also optimized for Bing and Yahoo. This plug-in is the#1 top rated plugin on WordPress.org
To install the Google XML Sitemaps plug-in go to your WordPress dashboard – Plugins – Add New. In the search box type Google XML Sitemaps. Click install now. Once that is complete, click activate plugin.
Once activated, you will be taken back to the plugins page, scroll down to the Google XML Sitemap plugin and click settings. You will see a note saying the sitemap wasn’t generated yet. Click build it. The default settings work for most bloggers, but feel free to adjust them if you’d like.
Your XML Sitemap is now all ready to go! If you are ready, you can launch your blog!
To review your sitemap settings at anytime, navigate to Settings – XML Sitemap. This page will tell you the last time your sitemap was update and if there are any problems with the sitemap. You can also view your sitemap by clicking the link in the top box, next to the text, “The URL to your sitemap index file is:”
If you’d like to see an example, here is our sitemap. It is created with the XML Sitemap plugin.
Thanks so much for the always helpful advice! I had Google Sitemaps + Yoast and kept receiving an error message from Yoast about having 2 sitemaps. I was scared to delete either of them, so I came to your site to see what you advised. Now I only have Yoast 🙂 Thanks, Kristie!
Glad you only have one! Did you go and let google know? Loving what you and your daughter are doing with your blog. 🙂 It’s been fun watching your journey Erin.
Hi! I have a question…you said that, if you already have the Yoast plug-in, you don’t need that one and the one you recommended. What if you’re a brand-new blogger? Should I install XML Sitemaps to make the sitemap, and then install Yoast for SEO?
Nope. If you plan on using Yoast (and most bloggers do these days) then you won’t need the XML sitemaps plugin. You don’t need or want duplicate sitemaps. Not only does it add unnecessary bulk to your blog, but it could potentially confuse search engines.
If you decided to use the Yoast SEO plugin, then creating a sitemap is super easy. From your WordPress dashboard navigate to SEO < XML Sitemaps and make sure the box is checked next to Check this box to enable XML sitemap functionality.
Hello Kristie! It looks like I am having the same problem a few other people above are experiencing. I don’t have the “build it” option for my Google XML Sitemap plugin, just Deactivate or Edit. I am hoping that it will still work for me though!
Thank you for these great posts on getting my blog set up, they have been SO helpful!
Hi. We figured out the problem everyone was having, there is a plugin with a similar name. Delete the plugin you have installed and add the Google XML Sitemaps (with an s) by Arne Brachhold. Hope that helps! Let me know if you have issues after installing this plugin instead.
Good luck setting up your blog!
Yup that did it, thank you! The only change I have is it looks like mine automatically created without me having to build it. Pretty cool! It gave me the URL and everything.
Thanks again!
Glad that worked!
Hi Kristie,
Thanks for sharing so much information. I need all the help I can get. I was trying to active the Google Site Plug-In of which I did install it but when I go to Settings it does not show up there so I feel it is not totally installed properly since I did not to the “Build It” step. Any thoughts???
Jere’
Hmmm.. Zornitsa, the commenter below you had this same issue. They must have updated how the plugin works since I wrote this post. Do you see the options to BUILD IT? Or no?
Hello 🙂 I am working on creating a sitemap and am having the same problem as the above poster. I do not see a Settings option, nor do I see a “Build It” option. I don’t see any other options that seem to apply. Any advice on what to do next?
Tess, will you let me do this for you? I obviously need to figure out how it needs to be done + update this post. I’ll shoot you an email…
Absolutely! Thank you!!
Sent!
Hi Kristie! I installed and activated the plugin. I see it in my list with plugins, but I don’t see any “Settings” that I can click on. There’s just the Deactivate and Edit options. What should I do?
Hi Zornitsa! In order to find the settings, you’ll need to go to your WordPress dashboard and then navigate in the left sidebar and hover over settings > then click on XML-Sitemap.
That should do the trick!
Thanks for popping by my site earlier! I just downloaded this plugin — something that I hadn’t seen yet that I needed. Thanks so much! Following you on Facebook now as well. Looking forward to reading more tips!
Erin | It All Matters Mom
Yay! Now Google will have an easier time finding you!
Kristie, thank you for the detailed instructions for creating an XML Sitemap! Any help I can get about raising search engine awareness of my blog I will take (and do)! I will definitely be checking your blog for more tips! Thanks again!
Natalie @ *Faux Jewels*Real Gems*
You’re welcome! This will help a lot. Good Luck blogging!