Google Site Map

[directmarketingadvice]

Hi there techies!

I've got some questions about google site map:

(1) What are the benefits of having a google site map?

(2) Looking at the google sitemaps website, it says you need something called "Python" to create a sitemap. What's python and how do I get it?

Is there a tool that creates sitemaps without python?

(3) What else does a non-techie like me need to be aware of if I'm going to create a sitemap?

(be warned - I'm good at marketing, but not so hot at these techie web things!)

Thanks in advance

Steve

 

[DuaneJackson]

The benefits are that you are telling Google where all your pages are rather than relying on their spiders to follow all your links, the idea being that Google will index your pages quicker and pick up on any new updates.

AFAIK it's just an XML file, and theres no need for Python to create these. I think there are websites that will crate a sitemap.xml file for you for free.

 

[Steve2507]

Hi,

The G sitemap is essentially an xml file of all the pages on your site.

You can create it yourself in an html editor f you know what you are doing, but it is easier and quicker to go to one of the sitesoffering it for free.

We use sitemapbuilder, but if you look around there are loads of others available.

Steve

 

[SuffolkDesigns]

here is one example

http://www.sitemapdoc.com/Default.aspx

 

[Steve2507]

The problem I found with sitemapdoc is that it only allows for 750 urls, so if you have a large site you either need to split the file or edit it yourself.

Steve

 

[Jonathan Senior]

sitemap builder.net (just google for it) is a free download. It just takes you to a nag screen website when you close.

We use joomla which generates search engine unfriendly dynamic page titles.

We were only getting hits from out frontpage :frown:

A google sitemap got the rest of the site indexed in about 4 weeks (although its a beta so they don't make any guarantees..)

Its easy enough but PM if you need help

 

[Whistle Ink]

Hi,

Most of my shops files are in a subfolder www.whistleink.co.uk/acatalog/ does this mean sitemap will pic this up as well? eventually?

I have been submitting the sitemap for weeks!

 

[Jonathan Senior]

Hi,

Most of my shops files are in a subfolder does this mean sitemap will pic this up as well? eventually?

I have been submitting the sitemap for weeks!

Doesn't matter (or shouldn;t matter)

Have you gone back in and checked your map has been accepted as well formed ? It doesn;t email you or anything - it just sits there showing "error"

Has the map.xml been spidered ? I think it tool about a week from this time for ours to be indexed