About Sitemaps

Create Sitemaps for SEO & Sitemaps for UsersApril 8, 2009

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Sitemap Types

Sitemaps for Search Engine Optimization (SEO)• XML file listing the pages of a web site• Provides site information to search engines• Helps to ensure sites get fully indexed• Not all site pages may be linked from other pages

Sitemaps for Users• HTML/XHTML page listing the pages of a site• Provides a site navigation aid to users of a site

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Sitemaps for SEO

Pros• Helps search engines learn about new sites• Helps index content that changes frequently• Helps to identify canonical pages for duplicate content• Helps classify pages missed by normal crawling• Pages with rich Ajax or Flash content• Pages not linked from other pages

Cons• Sitemap data has to be submitted• Search engines don’t support some Sitemap formats• Can mask bad content/link structures on a site

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Sitemaps for Users

Pros• Provides an extra navigation aid to visitors• Helps users learn about content on a site• Helps users locate what they are looking for

Cons• Users must browse through Sitemap hierarchy• Dynamic content may not fit in the hierarchy• Does not reflect user pathways or user flow• Doesn’t show how content relates to other content 4

Sitemap Protocol

Purpose• Informs search engines about pages on a site• Useful for …• Pages that cannot be accessed from other links• Pages that are only accessible from a form

Content• XML file that lists the URLs of pages on a site

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Why Sitemaps are Used

Use Sitemaps to help Users…• Get a comprehensive view of your site• Locate something specific on your site

Use Sitemaps for Site Engine Optimization• To improve rankings in organic search results• To reduce the time for bots to revisit the site

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How to Implement Sitemaps

Add a Sitemap XHTML page to your site• Some CMS programs will auto-generate a sitemap• Create a Sitemap XML file• Adhere to the Sitemap Protocol format• Use http://www.xml-sitemaps.com to generate

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In Summary

Include a User Sitemap on your site• Create a Sitemap that reflects the needs of users• Provide a Sitemap that is useful to new users• Provide a link to your Sitemap on the bottom of pages

Create a Sitemap for SEO and submit it• Add a Sitemaps file to the root of your site• Verify site content/link structure before submitting• Use the Sitemap protocol so all search engines can use it• Specify your preferred URL for pages in your Sitemap• Periodically submit a Sitemap to all search engines• Identify the location of your Sitemap file in robots.txt

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Caveat Emptor

There are many ways to manage Sitemaps for Sitecore sites• Skilled developers can provide other solutions• Review your Sitemaps needs with your Sitecore partner• Review proposed changes with all stakeholders• Implement new configurations on a test system firstThis presentation is intended to be academic• To enhance public knowledge of Sitemaps issues• To promote a better understanding of Sitemaps & SitecoreAuthor cannot guarantee accuracy or fitness for your site• Author makes no representations or warranties• Author disclaims any liability if you act on this information

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More Topics from TICAll Sitecore-related SlideShares from TIChttp://www.slideshare.net/cwnelson/presentations

How to Assure Success for a New Sitecore Site (full slide deck)http://www.slideshare.net/cwnelson/creating-new-sitecore-sites-full

Implementing Routine Sitecore Maintenancehttp://www.slideshare.net/cwnelson/sitecore-maintenance-tips

Performance Tips for Sitecore Mobile Usershttp://www.slideshare.net/cwnelson/sitecore-mobile-performance-tips

Sitecore 7 – New Features for Usershttp://www.slideshare.net/cwnelson/sitecore-7-new-features

Sitecore Performance Tips for Visitor Engagementhttp://www.slideshare.net/cwnelson/sitecore-performance-tips

Troubleshooting Sitecore Performancehttp://www.slideshare.net/cwnelson/troubleshooting-sitecore-performance

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The Inside Corner, Inc.

• The Inside Corner, Inc. (TIC) is owned by Craig Nelson• TIC is a Sitecore partner & web consultancy• A U.S. point of contact for teams of Sitecore specialists • We create new Sitecore sites & enhance existing ones

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Primary Developer - Craig Nelson

• Sitecore Specialist certified for Sitecore 7• 10 years of system administration experience• 10 years as a Microsoft Certified Trainer• 5 years of ASP.NET web development experience• 4 years of Sitecore development experience• 3 years as a Sitecore technical instructor• Sitecore architecture & configuration expert• Performance & SEO optimization specialist• Workflow configuration specialist 12

Get Help with your Sitecore Site

Follow TIC on LinkedIn• http://www.linkedin.com/company/the-inside-corner-inc.

Add TIC to your Circles on Google Plus• http://google.com/+Theinsidecorner

Follow TIC on Twitter • https://twitter.com/TheInsideCorner

Contact Craig Directly• Craig Nelson - Certified 7.0 Developer and Sitecore Partner• cwnelson[at]ticdevs.com• Mobile - 707.319.7446

Visit the TIC website• http://ticdevs.com

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About Sitemaps

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Thanks!April 8, 2009

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