Is your WordPress website struggling to gain visibility in search results? With millions of pages competing for attention, your valuable content might be buried where no one can find it.
Even worse, search engines could be missing important pages on your site, severely limiting your organic traffic potential.
But there’s a powerful solution: a WordPress sitemap. This essential tool acts as a comprehensive roadmap for search engines, ensuring every important page on your site gets discovered and indexed.
The best part is that creating a sitemap in WordPress is simpler than you might expect, even if you’re not tech-savvy.
In this article, we’ll walk you through the exact steps on how to create WordPress sitemap to help your content get the visibility it deserves.
Let’s get started!
What are Sitemaps in WordPress?
Sitemaps are essential tools for helping search engines and users understand the structure of your website. They provide a clear list of URLs for indexing and improve navigation for visitors.
A sitemap serves several key purposes:
- It helps search engines like Google index your website more effectively. By listing all relevant URLs, sitemaps make it easier for bots to find and understand your content.
- Sitemaps help users navigate your site. They provide a structured way to access different parts of your website.
- For new visitors, having access to a sitemap can enhance their experience by guiding them to the right content quickly.
Below is an example of a site’s sitemap:
![Sitemaps how to create wordpress sitemap [free methods] from the plus addons for elementor](https://theplusaddons.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Sitemaps.png "Sitemaps | The Plus Addons for Elementor")
XML vs HTML Sitemaps
There are two main types of sitemaps: XML and HTML.
XML sitemaps are primarily for search engines. They help these bots crawl and index your site, which can improve your search engine rankings.
These sitemaps list all important URLs and can include additional information like the last modified date and change frequency.
HTML sitemaps are designed for users. They present a human-readable format that shows the structure of your site.
This allows visitors to easily find pages and understand the relationships between them.
![Xml vs html sitemaps how to create wordpress sitemap [free methods] from the plus addons for elementor](https://theplusaddons.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/XML-vs-HTML-Sitemaps.png "XML vs HTML Sitemaps | The Plus Addons for Elementor")
Both types of sitemaps play important roles in website optimization. You’ll want to ensure you use both to benefit your site’s visibility and usability.
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How to Create WordPress Sitemap [2 Methods]
When planning to add a sitemap to your WordPress site, you have a couple of solid options.
You can either use the built-in feature of WordPress or take advantage of sitemap plugins. Both methods can effectively create a sitemap for your website.
Method 1: Creating a Sitemap with WordPress Built-in Feature
Creating a sitemap with WordPress is simple. Since version 5.5, WordPress automatically generates a basic XML sitemap for your site.
This means you do not need any extra plugins to have a fundamental sitemap.
To find your sitemap, add /wp-sitemap.xml to the end of your site’s URL. For example, if your site is example.com, your sitemap will be located at example.com/wp-sitemap.xml.
The built-in sitemap includes all your posts, pages, and categories. This helps search engines easily find and index your content.
Benefits of Using the Built-in Sitemap Feature
- No setup required: It generates automatically.
- User-friendly: Easy to access by simply typing the URL.
- SEO-friendly: Helps search engines quickly index your content.
Using the built-in feature is a great way to ensure your site’s content is visible to search engines without any additional effort.
Method 2: Creating a WordPress Sitemap Using Plugins
While WordPress’s built-in sitemap feature works for basic needs, plugins offer greater control over your SEO strategy.
With dedicated sitemap plugins, you can customize which pages to include, set content priorities, and manage advanced features that aren’t available in the default solution.
If you need more flexibility in optimizing your site’s visibility, the plugin method is your best choice.
There are several sitemap plugins that provide additional features. Popular options include:
These plugins can create both XML and HTML sitemaps for your site.
After installing a plugin, check the plugin settings to find your sitemap URL. Typically, it will also be accessible at /sitemap.xml.
To install a sitemap plugin, go to your WordPress dashboard. Click on Plugins > Add New.
![Plugins how to create wordpress sitemap [free methods] from the plus addons for elementor](https://theplusaddons.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Plugins.png "Plugins | The Plus Addons for Elementor")
In the search bar, type the name of your chosen plugin, such as “Yoast SEO” or “Rank Math.”
When it appears in the search results, click Install Now. After installation, you need to click Activate.
This process connects the plugin to your site, allowing you to configure it effectively.
Once activated, the plugin may guide you through the initial setup steps. Follow the prompts to complete the configuration and ensure the sitemap is created properly.
For example, if you choose Rank Math to create a sitemap, then go to WordPress Dashboard > Rank Math SEO and enable the Sitemap module.
![Wordpress dashboard 1 how to create wordpress sitemap [free methods] from the plus addons for elementor](https://theplusaddons.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/WordPress-Dashboard-1.png "WordPress Dashboard 1 | The Plus Addons for Elementor")
Further, to customize your sitemap, navigate to Rank Math SEO > Sitemap Settings.
There, you can configure settings like whether images and features images should be included, what post types and taxonomies to include, etc.
![Rank math seo how to create wordpress sitemap [free methods] from the plus addons for elementor](https://theplusaddons.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Rank-Math-SEO.png "Rank Math SEO | The Plus Addons for Elementor"){kind=icon}
And finally, Save Changes.
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How to Submit WordPress Sitemap to Google & Other Search Engines?
Submitting your sitemap helps search engines find and index your pages more quickly.
This process is important for improving your website’s visibility and ranking. Below are the steps for submitting your sitemap to major search engines.
Submitting to Google
To submit your sitemap to Google, you need to use the Google Search Console.
First, log into your Google Search Console account. If you don’t have one, you will need to create it and verify your website ownership.
Once you are in the dashboard, locate the Sitemaps option on the left sidebar.
![Submitting to google how to create wordpress sitemap [free methods] from the plus addons for elementor](https://theplusaddons.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Submitting-to-Google.png "Submitting to Google | The Plus Addons for Elementor")
Enter the URL of your sitemap in the field provided and click ‘Submit.’
![Submitting how to create wordpress sitemap [free methods] from the plus addons for elementor](https://theplusaddons.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Submitting.png "Submitting | The Plus Addons for Elementor")
Google will check your sitemap for errors. You’ll receive notifications about the status and any issues that need fixing.
Make sure your sitemap file is correctly structured. A well-formed sitemap can lead to faster indexing.
Submitting to Bing and Other Search Engines
To submit your sitemap to Bing, follow a process similar to Google’s.
You will need a Bing Webmaster Tools account. After logging in, navigate to the “Sitemaps” section.
![Submitting to bing and other search engines how to create wordpress sitemap [free methods] from the plus addons for elementor](https://theplusaddons.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Submitting-to-Bing-and-Other-Search-Engines.png "Submitting to Bing and Other Search Engines | The Plus Addons for Elementor")
Enter your sitemap URL in the designated field and click “Submit.”
Bing will also identify any issues that may arise. It’s beneficial to regularly check for errors to ensure your pages are being properly indexed.
For more in-depth instructions, you can watch this video –
Other search engines, like Yandex, have similar submission processes. Always make sure your sitemap is updated whenever you publish new content.
Regular submissions and checks help keep your site’s SEO strong.
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How to Maintain WordPress Sitemap?
To keep your WordPress sitemap effective, it’s essential to monitor its health and update it regularly.
This ensures that search engines can access the latest content on your site efficiently.
Monitoring Sitemap Health
You should regularly check the health of your sitemap and use Google Search Console to track issues related to it.
This tool will inform you if there are any errors, such as broken links or the exclusion of important pages.
After submitting your sitemap, review the crawl stats.
- Look for any pages that are not being indexed.
- If you notice that certain pages are consistently ignored, consider adjusting their content or internal links.
Keeping a close eye on how search engines interact with your sitemap helps you maintain its effectiveness.
Updating Your Sitemap Regularly
Regular updates to your sitemap are important for showcasing new content. If you add new posts or pages, ensure that your sitemap reflects these changes.
Many plugins can automate this process, updating the sitemap whenever you publish new content.
Make it a practice to manually check your sitemap every month. If you delete or change the structure of pages, update the sitemap immediately.
Best Practices for Sitemap Optimization
To optimize your WordPress sitemap, follow these essential tips:
- Avoid Duplicate URLs: Ensure your sitemap does not include URLs with duplicate content. This practice helps to focus search engine efforts on unique pages.
- Limit File Size: Your sitemap should be under 50MB and contain fewer than 50,000 URLs. This helps search engines process your sitemap efficiently.
- Use HTTPS: Include only secure URLs in your sitemap. This assures search engines that your site is trustworthy.
- Include Images and Videos: If your site features media, make sure to reference them in your sitemap. Use appropriate tags for better indexing.
- Organize by Priority: Assign priority levels to URLs, helping search engines understand which pages are more important.
Following these practices will help you enhance the visibility and crawlability of your website.
Recommended Read: How to Change Page URL in WordPress [4 Easy Methods]
![20 checklist for wordpress site maintenance how to create wordpress sitemap [free methods] from the plus addons for elementor](https://theplusaddons.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/20-Checklist-for-WordPress-Site-Maintenance-1024x1024.jpg "20 Checklist for WordPress Site Maintenance | The Plus Addons for Elementor")
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Wrapping Up
A well-structured sitemap is essential for improving your website’s visibility and ensuring search engines can efficiently index your content.
Whether you choose the built-in WordPress feature or a plugin, having a sitemap in place helps boost your SEO and improves user experience.
To keep your sitemap effective, remember to monitor its health, update it regularly, and follow best practices for optimization.
A properly maintained sitemap ensures that your latest content gets discovered faster, giving your site a competitive edge.
But a well-optimized website goes beyond just a sitemap. That’s where The Plus Addons for Elementor comes in. This plugin offers powerful design and performance-focused features that keep your visitors engaged.
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FAQs on Creating WordPress Sitemaps
What should I include in my sitemap?
Include important pages like blog posts, product pages, and category pages while excluding duplicate content, admin pages, or low-value pages that don’t need indexing.
Can I have multiple sitemaps for my WordPress site?
Yes! Large websites often use multiple sitemaps (e.g., separate ones for posts, pages, and images). Plugins like Yoast SEO and Rank Math automatically generate a sitemap index that organizes multiple sitemaps efficiently.
Why is my sitemap not showing in Google Search Console?
It could be due to indexing delays, errors in the sitemap file, or issues with your robots.txt file blocking search engines. Check Google Search Console’s Sitemap Report for errors.
Does a sitemap guarantee better rankings?
No, but it helps search engines discover and index your content faster, which is essential for SEO. A sitemap supports good rankings but doesn’t replace high-quality content and strong SEO practices.
