Planning a sitemap

Almost every website should have a sitemap. People do use sitemaps, so make sure it is readable, and easy to find. Search engines follow the links on sitemaps, so it should serve as a gateway to the pages or sections of your website.

Small websites

If your website has less than 50 pages then create a single sitemap page. Google suggests that each web page should have 50 or less links.
On the sitemap add a link to every page within your website, using accurate descriptions in the anchor text. Accurate descriptions will help visitors find the information they are after quickly.

Larger websites

If your website has, or will have, more than 50 pages then you should split your sitemap into several sections.
Create a main sitemap page, and make this easy to find for visitors. Add a link to the header or footer links. On this main sitemap page include links to the most important pages of your website, but keep them limited.
For each section or category of your website add a sub-sitemap page. List the pages of that section on the sub-sitemap page. Link each sub-sitemap page on the main sitemap page.
If you are using a CMS system, such as WordPress, Drupal, or similar, use the category or tag view as your sub-sitemap page. Use the available sitemap plugins to link to these categories.

Sitemap maintenance

Regularly update your sitemap. Search engines like to see content updated, including gateway pages such as sitemap. If you are using a CMS system, then your sitemap pages should be updated automatically.