Do small websites benefit from HTML site maps and XML Site maps for their SEO?
Question: -
Q: Do I need to create a sitemap if my site is fairly simple? Or is the sitemap more for search purposes?
Answer: -
Sitemaps are not required. Remember that in terms of getting to the top of Google the most important factors are your 'on page' HTML tag structure and your 'off page' links (incoming or 'backlinks') to your website. But, beyond that you might as well set your website up for best practices.
A small website might have every page easily accessible directly from the home page (one click), and/or have some subdirectories that then link to other pages on the website (two or more clicks from the home page). Remember that the home page is the most powerful page of your website for SEO purposes. That said, having a sitemap.html is a 'best practice' and definitely will make the website easier to manage as it grows.
Creating an XML site map is even more optional. It does help your website appear more 'professional' and 'serious' to Google, and thereby may (slightly) increase your index rate and your rankings. Again, these are more optional attributes but in highly competitive keywords you need every factor working to your advantage, so I would recommend that you create them.
Hope this helps!
- Jason
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