Before delving into the reasons, it's important to recognize the two types of sitemaps commonly used by websites:
XML Sitemaps: These assist search engines and spiders in discovering a website's pages, providing a complete map of all pages and aiding search engines in prioritizing pages for crawling.
HTML Sitemaps: These primarily serve website visitors, providing a well-organized table of contents, including every page on the website.
1. Organizing Large Websites
As websites expand, confusion can arise for visitors trying to navigate the growing array of content. An HTML sitemap acts as a directory, akin to a department store or shopping mall map, ensuring that every page finds its rightful place. It provides clarity for users who may be lost and serves as a last resort for helping them find their way.2. Serving as a Project Manager & Architect
An HTML sitemap functions as an architectural blueprint for a website, overseeing the structure and connections between pages and subpages. It ensures a clean hierarchy and taxonomy for the site, forcing every page to find a home and maintaining a well-organized structure.3. Highlighting the Website’s Purpose
Acting as a content-based document, an HTML sitemap further defines a website’s specific value. By utilizing SEO to identify unique and relevant keywords to include on the sitemap, it enhances keyword relevancy for pages and contributes to a clearer understanding of the website's purpose.4. Speeding Up Search Engine Crawlers
An HTML sitemap aids search engines in finding and indexing content efficiently. While XML sitemaps provide a laundry list of links, HTML links are the preferred method for search crawlers to discover the web. Submitting the text version of the sitemap to Google can further expedite this process.5. Increasing Search Engine Visibility
In some cases, search engines may not index every webpage on a website. An HTML sitemap directs search bots to consider all pages, facilitating their job and ensuring that the website’s taxonomy is well understood.6. Enabling Natural Page Links to Drive Visitors
Not every page will be prominently linked in headers or footers. An HTML sitemap can bridge this gap, guiding visitors through their journey and raising the organic search visibility of linked pages, ensuring that no page on the site is left isolated.7. Identifying Areas for Site Navigation Improvement
As a website grows, identifying duplicate data and reassessing the site's architecture becomes crucial. An HTML sitemap helps in identifying duplication and areas where site navigation could be enhanced, ensuring that visitors can easily find what they need.In conclusion, the benefits of maintaining an HTML sitemap are numerous, saving resources and providing an effective way to guide website visitors. Whether using a platform like WordPress or managing a larger site, the effort to develop and maintain an HTML sitemap is well worth it, offering substantial benefits with minimal effort.
