Using HTML sitemaps for SEO and UX

In the old days, websites grew organically. They started from scratch, and webmasters often added content using HTML.

In most cases, these webmasters code in HTML using a text editor (Notepad or MS FrontPage), or an ancient WYSIWG editor (Dreamweaver, for example).

So out of necessity, webmasters decided sitemaps made sense to make things more organised.

What are HTML sitemaps?

HTML sitemaps are pages on your website that list all the links to your website's pages in a hierarchical structure. They help users navigate your website and understand its structure.

When to use HTML sitemaps for SEO?

If you want to improve your SEO, HTML sitemaps are essential. They help search engines crawl and index your website's pages more efficiently by providing a clear hierarchy of your website's pages. This helps search engines understand how your content is organized and what your website is all about.

HTML sitemaps can also help with SEO by providing internal links to your website's pages. Internal links help search engines understand the relationships between your pages and can distribute authority and link juice throughout your website.

When to use HTML sitemaps for UX?

HTML sitemaps are also a useful tool for improving user experience (UX) on your website. If your website is large or complex, it can be hard for users to navigate and find what they are looking for. HTML sitemaps provide a clear and concise overview of your website's structure, making it easier for users to find the content they need.

HTML sitemaps can also help users who use screen readers or have other disabilities that make it challenging to navigate your website. By providing a clear structure of your website's pages, HTML sitemaps make it easier for these users to understand and navigate your website.

How to create HTML sitemaps?

Creating HTML sitemaps is easy. You can use a sitemap generator tool, which will automatically generate a sitemap based on your website's pages. Alternatively, you can create your sitemap manually using HTML or XML. If you're not familiar with HTML or XML, you may want to hire a developer to help you create your sitemap.

Once you've created your HTML sitemap, link to it from your website's footer or header menu. This will ensure that users can easily find your sitemap and navigate your website more efficiently.