What are Site Maps
Search engines such as Google, Yahoo, and Bing use site maps to detect changes in your web site. A well-structured site map as part of the on-site optimization process helps ensure your web site is indexed in a timely fashion whenever changes are made to your web site.
The two main functions of the site map—communicating with your customers and communicating with search engines—require two different types of site maps. If you’re using a site map for SEO purposes, it is important to understand the need for not only a conventional html format, but the XML format as well. Currently, Yahoo and Bing utilize the standard html format, while Google uses an XML format, but it is safe to assume all search engines will eventually use Google’s approach to site mapping.
A site map tells visitors to your web site where to find what they are looking for. It is a page that shows your visitors the structure of your web site and makes it easier for them to navigate. This is an important function on its own, but it isn’t the only function of the site map.
A site map isn’t only used to direct your visitors. The site map is an important way to communicate with search engines. This makes optimizing the site map on your web site an important part of on-site optimization.
While a site map might not offer big advantages right away, the constant improvement of site map indexing algorithms by the major search engines will make a well-structured site map an important part of the site indexing process in the future. This is why site map creation is an integral part of our on-site optimization process. Whether you’re web site is new or not, a well-structured site map speed up the search engine indexing process.