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No Page Left Behind: Easy Steps to Add an HTML Sitemap to Your WordPress Website

Adding an HTML Sitemap to your WordPress website can significantly improve your site navigation and help search engines index your web pages easily. In this step-by-step guide, you’ll learn how to install AIOSEO Pro, set up and configure your HTML Sitemap, and use a Simple Sitemap plugin as an alternative. Whether you’re new to WordPress or looking to improve your site SEO, this guide will walk you through every critical step in clear and accessible language.

Table of Contents

How to add an HTML Sitemap to your WordPress Website

What is an HTML Sitemap?

An HTML Sitemap is a section of your website that displays all the essential pages and sections in an organized format, making it easy for visitors to navigate. Unlike an XML Sitemap, which search engines design, a website owner creates an HTML Sitemap for users. It hierarchically displays the main pages, categories, and essential links, providing a clear overview of the website structure.

An HTML Sitemap helps improve the user experience by giving visitors a quick way to find important pages on your site. It also improves SEO by making your content more accessible and improving visitors to explore your website further. By having an HTML Sitemap, you can make your site more organized, increasing both user satisfaction and search engine visibility.

How do you create a Manual XML Sitemap Without a Plugin in WordPress?

To create a manual and fast XML Sitemap without using a plugin in WordPress, follow these steps:

Step 1: Create a New XML File

  • Start a Text editor, like Notepad (Windows) or TextEdit (Mac).
  • Save the file with a name like “sitemap.xml” using the .xml extension.

Step 2: Write the XML Code

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>

<urlset xmlns="http://www.sitemaps.org/schemas/sitemap/0.9">

  <url>

    <loc>https://example.com/</loc>

    <lastmod>2024-01-01</lastmod>

    <changefreq>weekly</changefreq>

    <priority>1.0</priority>

  </url>

  <url>

    <loc>https://example.com/about/</loc>

    <lastmod>2024-01-01</lastmod>

    <changefreq>monthly</changefreq>

    <priority>0.8</priority>

  </url>

  <!-- Add more pages as needed -->

</urlset>
  • In the above code:
    • <loc> specifies the URL of the page.
    • <lastmod> indicates the page’s last modification date in YYYY-MM-DD format.
    • <changefreq> describes how often the content changes (e.g., daily, weekly, monthly).
    • <priority> sets the priority of the page (0.1 to 1.0).

Step 3: Add All Key Pages to the Sitemap

  • Include all the key pages, posts, and other essential URLs in the XML structure.
  • Follow the same format as above for each URL you want to include.

Step 4: Upload the XML Sitemap to Your WordPress Root Directory

  • Access your WordPress site using an FTP client, such as FileZilla, or through your hosting provider’s file manager.
  • Visit the root directory of your WordPress installation, typically named public_html or www.
  • Upload the sitemap.xml file to this root directory.

Step 5: Submit the XML Sitemap to Search Engines

  1. Google Search Console: visit the Google Search Console and select your website.
  2. Navigate to Sitemaps under the Index section.
  3. Enter the full URL of your sitemap (e.g., https://example.com/sitemap.xml) and click Submit.
  4. Bing Webmaster Tools: Open Bing Webmaster Tools and select your website.
  5. Go to Configure My Site > Sitemaps.
  6. Enter your sitemap URL and click Submit.

Tips for Managing Your XML Sitemap

  • Manually update the <lastmod> date whenever you update the content on your website.
  • Regularly add new pages or posts by editing the sitemap.xml file.

The construction of a basic XML Sitemap with no plugin in WordPress: A detailed guide Sometimes, it is helpful to use a manual instead of a plugin to produce an XML Sitemap to make sure search engines notice all the necessary pages of the website. This method provides complete control over the structure of your sitemap.

How to Generate an XML Sitemap Easily

To generate an XML Sitemap quickly, open Google.com and type “XML sitemap generator” in the search bar. Click on the first link, “XML Sitemaps Generator: Create your Google Sitemap Online.” This tool lets you quickly create a sitemap to submit to search engines to improve your site’s SEO and indexing.

generate an XML Sitemap easily

How to Generate a Sitemap with XML-Sitemaps

To create an XML Sitemap using XML-Sitemaps.com, go to the website and enter your domain name in the provided field. Then, click the “Start” button to generate your sitemap. This tool quickly scans your website and creates a sitemap to download and submit to search engines to improve your site’s SEO.

scans your website and creates a sitemap

How to Confirm To Generated XML Sitemap

After clicking the “Start” button to generate your sitemap, wait briefly while the tool processes your website. Once complete, your XML Sitemap will be displayed, listing all the URLs included. You can now download and place the sitemap on your site and then submit it to the search engines to enhance the site’s optimization and search.

Confirm To Generated XML Sitemap

Step-by-Step Guide to Add an HTML Sitemap to WordPress Website

Let’s begin our step-by-step guide. We’ll keep everything simple so it’s easy to follow. Whether you’re doing this for the first time or you’ve done it before, this guide will take you through each step clearly and easily. Let’s get started and make everything simple for you!

How to Access and Purchase AIOSEO Pro Version

To get All In One SEO for your WordPress website:

  1. Open the official AIOSEO website at aioseo.com.
  2. Click the “Get All In One SEO” button to view different plugin options.
  3. Choose the plan that fits your needs: Elite, Pro, Plus, or Basic. This official page offers a 7-day free trial when you buy.
  4. Click on the “Pricing” link to explore all the details: aioseo.com/pricing.
Access and Purchase AIOSEO Pro Version

How to Easily Add a New Plugin in WordPress

To add a new plugin in WordPress, open your WordPress dashboard. Navigate to the ‘Plugins’ in the left sidebar menu, hover your cursor over it, and click “Add New Plugin.” This will take you to a page where you can browse, search, and install new plugins. Adding plugins is a simple way to extend your site’s features and improve functionality.

Add a New Plugin in WordPress

How to Upload a Plugin in WordPress

To upload a plugin in WordPress, go to your dashboard and click “Plugins” in the left menu. Next, click the “Add Plugins” option and select “Upload Plugin”. This lets you upload the pro version or any plugin in a .zip format. Click on “Choose File,” select your plugin’s .zip file, and then click “Install Now” to complete the process.

Upload a Plugin in WordPress

How to Upload and Install a Plugin in WordPress

To upload and install the PRO version of a plugin:

  1. Open your WordPress dashboard.
  2. Go to “Plugins,” click “Add Plugins,” then click “Upload Plugin.”
  3. Hit the “Browse” button to select your .zip file from your computer.

Once selected, click “Install Now” to finish uploading the plugin.

Upload and Install a Plugin in WordPress

How to Select and Open a Plugin in WordPress

To install a plugin in WordPress:

  1. Select your .zip file from your computer.
  2. Press the “Browse” button in the Upload Plugin section and look for the plugin file in the directory.
  3. Choose the correct file, then click “Open” to prepare it for installation. This action will allow you to install the plugin on your WordPress website.
Select and Open a Plugin in WordPress

How to Install a Plugin in WordPress

After selecting your plugin .zip file, click the “Install Now” button. This action will begin the plugin’s installation process on your WordPress website. After installation, you can right-click on this plugin and activate and enable it based on the user’s requirements.

Install a Plugin in WordPress

How to Activate a Plugin in WordPress

After successfully installing the plugin, click the “Activate Plugin” button to activate it. This step is essential to make the plugin functional on your WordPress website. Once activated, you can use the plugin’s features and customize settings.

Activate a Plugin in WordPress

How to Return to the WordPress Dashboard

After activating your plugin, click “Go Back to the Dashboard” to return to your WordPress main dashboard. This option allows you to access all your site settings and newly installed plugins. You can start configuring your plugin options or changing other WordPress sites.

Return to the WordPress Dashboard

How to Access Sitemap Settings in AIOSEO

To find the sitemap settings in All In One SEO (AIOSEO), open your WordPress dashboard and go to “All In One SEO” in the left menu. Click on “Sitemap” to access and manage your sitemap options. This section lets you control which pages and posts are included in your site’s HTML sitemap, helping with SEO optimization.

Access Sitemap Settings in AIOSEO

How to Access HTML Sitemap in AIOSEO

To view your HTML Sitemap in All In One SEO (AIOSEO), go to your WordPress dashboard and select “Sitemap” from the AIOSEO menu. Then, click on “HTML Sitemap” to manage the sitemap settings. This feature helps create a readable sitemap for your users, making navigating your website more accessible and improving your SEO.

Access HTML Sitemap in AIOSEO

How to Enable and Display an HTML Sitemap in AIOSEO

To enable your HTML Sitemap in AIOSEO, toggle the “Enable Sitemap” switch in the HTML Sitemap settings. Then, select how you want the sitemap to appear: Dedicated Page, Gutenberg Block, Shortcode, or Widget. For this guide, we’ll use a dedicated page to display all the sitemap links clearly on a separate page. This helps improve your site navigation and user experience.

Enable and Display an HTML Sitemap in AIOSEO

How to Add a New Page for Your HTML Sitemap in WordPress

To set up your HTML Sitemap on a Dedicated Page, go to your WordPress dashboard and click “Pages” in the left menu. Next, go to “New page,” where you will post your sitemap. This allows visitors to access your website’s pages from one place easily, improving site navigation and SEO.

Add a New Page for Your HTML Sitemap in WordPress

How to Name and Publish Your HTML Sitemap Page in WordPress

To create your HTML Sitemap Page, enter a page name like “HTML Sitemap” in the title field. Once you’ve named the page, click the “Publish” button to make it live. Publishing the page allows you to display the HTML Sitemap on your WordPress website, which is helpful for users, including visitors or search engines when locating and searching specific items.

Publish Your HTML Sitemap Page in WordPress

How to Copy the Page Address for Your HTML Sitemap in WordPress

After publishing your HTML Sitemap Page, locate the page address on the right side of your WordPress editor. At the bottom of the page, you will find some buttons – click on the “Copy” button to copy the page URL. This allows you to easily share or link to the HTML Sitemap from other parts of your website or with your audience, improving site navigation and SEO.

Copy the Page Address for Your HTML Sitemap in WordPress

How to Link Your HTML Sitemap Page in AIOSEO

After copying your HTML Sitemap Page URL, return to the AIOSEO Sitemap Settings in the previous tab. In the “Dedicated Page” section, paste the copied address into the provided field. This action links your HTML Sitemap to the dedicated page, making it accessible to visitors and improving your site navigation and SEO.

Link Your HTML Sitemap Page in AIOSEO

How to Configure HTML Sitemap Settings in AIOSEO

Scroll down to access the HTML Sitemap Settings in AIOSEO. Here, you can select the post types and taxonomies you wish to display in your HTML Sitemap. You can also set the sort order and decide to show or hide the publish date for each entry. Finally, once the user has modified the available preferences, tap ‘save changes‘ to alter the sitemap. 

Configure HTML Sitemap Settings in AIOSEO

How to Open Your HTML Sitemap in AIOSEO

After making and saving changes to your HTML Sitemap settings, scroll up slightly and click the “Open HTML Sitemap” button. This will allow you to preview and view the HTML Sitemap on your dedicated page. This step ensures your sitemap is correctly displayed so visitors and search engines can explore your site content.

Open Your HTML Sitemap in AIOSEO

How to View Your HTML Sitemap in WordPress

Once you’ve set up your HTML Sitemap, you can view it on your dedicated page by visiting the page’s URL. The sitemap will display organized sections such as Posts and Pages, making it easy for visitors to find important content.

View Your HTML Sitemap in WordPress

Alternative Method to Add a Sitemap in WordPress

You can also create a sitemap by installing a new plugin using an alternative method. Log into your WordPress site, click “Appearance,” and then click “Plugins” at the top of the page. Then, select “Add New Plugin” to find and install a sitemap plugin. 

Method to Add a Sitemap in WordPress

How to Search and Install a Sitemap Plugin in WordPress

Go to your WordPress dashboard’s “Add Plugins” page to install a new sitemap plugin. In the search bar, type “Simple Sitemap” and select the plugin “Simple Sitemap – Create a Responsive HTML Sitemap.” Please select the “Install Now” button and activate the plugin to utilize its features following installation. This plugin helps you quickly generate a responsive and easy-to-navigate HTML sitemap for your website.

Search and Install a Sitemap Plugin in WordPress

How to Add a New Page for Simple Sitemap in WordPress

Go to your WordPress dashboard’s “Pages” section to create a new page for your Simple Sitemap. Click “Add New Page” to set up a dedicated page displaying your sitemap. This step is crucial to showing visitors your site’s organized content and improving navigation and SEO.

Add a New Page for Simple Sitemap in WordPress

How to Create a Page for Simple Sitemap in WordPress

To create a Simple Sitemap Page, enter a page name in the title field, like “Simple Sitemap.” Next, click on the “+” icon to add a block. In the search bar, type “Sitemap” and choose “Simple Sitemap” from the options. This allows you to easily add the sitemap block to the page for better site navigation.

Create a Page for Simple Sitemap in WordPress

How to Add Posts to Your Simple Sitemap in WordPress

To include posts in your Simple Sitemap, click the sitemap block and go to the settings panel on the right. Under “General Settings,” select “Post” from the dropdown menu to display posts in your HTML sitemap. This will help visitors quickly find your blog posts and improve your site’s navigation.

Add Posts to Your Simple Sitemap in WordPress

How to Customize General Settings for Your Simple Sitemap in WordPress

To customize your Simple Sitemap in WordPress, you can modify the General Settings from the menu on the right. Here, you can select specific post types to display, adjust the order of items, show post titles, and include sitemap links. These options help you create a custom sitemap that fits your site structure and improves the user experience.

Customize General Settings for Your Simple Sitemap

How to Publish Your Simple Sitemap Page in WordPress

After making all the changes to your Simple Sitemap Page, click the “Publish” button in the top right corner. This step finalizes your sitemap, making it visible and accessible to your website visitors. Publishing ensures that your sitemap updates are live, helping users and search engines explore your site more effectively.

Publish Your Simple Sitemap Page in WordPress

How to View and Publish Your Simple Sitemap in WordPress

After setting up your Simple Sitemap, preview it on the dedicated page. To make it live, click the “Publish” button. Publishing the sitemap ensures that your website visitors and search engines can access the sitemap, improving site navigation and SEO.

View and Publish Your Simple Sitemap in WordPress

Conclusion

Following the points above, incorporating an HTML Sitemap into any WordPress website is straightforward. A well-organized sitemap improves site navigation and Boosts SEO by enhancing the accessibility of your content to visitors and search engines. Take the time to implement these settings, and you’ll enjoy a more user-friendly website with better search engine visibility.

About Author

Haider Aftab Abbasi Author

This article was written by Haider Aftab Abbasi. If you’re looking for more insightful content or professional collaborations, feel free to connect with Haider on LinkedIn using the provided link.

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