Generating XML and HTML Sitemaps in Magento 2: A Step-by-Step Guide

SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is a crucial area to concentrate on if you wish to raise the rating of your Magento 2 website in search results. Making sitemaps is an essential component of SEO since it makes it easier for visitors and search engines to find and browse your website. This tutorial will demonstrate how to create sitemaps in Magento 2 in both XML and HTML formats.

What is an XML Sitemap?

A simple text file with links to every page on your Magento website is called an XML sitemap. It ensures quicker and better indexing by assisting search engines in understanding the structure of your website.

Why Do You Need an XML Sitemap?

You have to create an XML sitemap in these cases:

• New Magento Site:  It may take some time for Google to find the pages on your site if it is brand-new. The process is accelerated with the help of an XML sitemap.
• Large Website: Without a sitemap, search engines could struggle to rank content in your store if it has thousands of pages.
• Multilingual Stores: An XML sitemap assists search engines in displaying the appropriate language version to users if your store is multilingual.

What is an HTML Sitemap?

A webpage that lists every subpage of a website in an organized manner is called an HTML sitemap. Unlike an XML sitemap, which is for search engines, it is primarily made for human visitors.

Why Do You Need an HTML Sitemap?

• Improved User Navigation: Makes it easier for users to locate information and goods.
• SEO Benefits: Search engines can also use HTML sitemaps to crawl and index content efficiently.

How to Create an XML Sitemap in Magento 2

XML sitemap generation is a built-in function of Magento 2. Follow these steps:

Step 1: Create the Sitemap

1. Log in to the Admin Panel.
2. Navigate to Marketing > SEO & Search > Site Map.

3. Click Add Sitemap.

4. Give a name for the sitemap.
5. Enter the path where the sitemap will be stored.
6. Choose the Store View.
7. Select Save & Generate. 

After it is created, the sitemap will appear in the grid.

Step 2: Configure XML Sitemap Settings

Follow these steps to automate updates:

1. Go to Catalog > XML Sitemap under Stores > Configuration.

2. Set the values for the following tabs by expanding them:
   • Categories Options
   • Products Options
   • CMS Pages Options

3. For every page type, set the Priority and Frequency (the frequency at which the sitemap is updated).
4. Set up the sitemap update settings:
   • Enable Auto-Generation: Select Yes.
   • Start Time: Specify when the generation should begin.
   • Frequency: Set how often the sitemap should get updated.
   • Error Email Settings: To get failure notifications, add an email address. 

5. Define Sitemap File Limits:
   • Each sitemap may contain up to 50,000 URLs.
   • No file should be larger than 50 MB.
6. Turn on submission to robots.txt under Search Engine Submission Settings.

How to Create an HTML Sitemap in Magento 2

Magento 2 does not support HTML sitemaps by default. To generate one, you need to use a third-party extension from a trusted provider.

Using a Magento 2 Extension

One of the recommended extensions for generating XML and HTML sitemaps in Magento 2 is SEO Suite from SwissUpLabs (SEO Suite Extension).

Features of SEO Suite by SwissUpLabs:

• XML & HTML Sitemap Generation: To enhance user navigation and search engine crawling, the extension automatically creates both XML and HTML sitemaps.
• Customizable Sitemaps: Allows fine-tuning of your sitemap by adding or deleting particular URLs, categories, and CMS pages.
• SEO Optimization Tools: Includes advanced tools for metadata, canonical URLs, and rich snippets, which improve search engine rankings.
• Automated Sitemap Updates: Allows ensuring your sitemap stays up-to-date by scheduling automatic updates.
• Multi-language Support: Beneficial for international stores, as it makes it easier for search engines to recognize language-specific pages.
• Integration with Google Search Console: By making it simple to submit sitemaps to search engines, the extension guarantees effective indexing.

Why SEO Suite is Good for SEO:

• Improves Search Engine Visibility: Ensures all important pages are appropriately indexed and ranked.
• Enhances User Experience: Allows users to navigate the HTML sitemap with ease.
• Saves Time with Automation: Minimizes manual work by automating sitemap changes.

How It Helps with Sitemaps:

• Generates a well-structured XML sitemap for search engines.
• Improves on-site navigation by producing an HTML sitemap for users.
• Allows customization to exclude unnecessary pages, improving SEO tactics.
• For faster indexing, sitemaps are sent straight to Google and other search engines.

Magento 2 store owners may greatly improve their SEO approach with the help of SwissUpLabs’ SEO Suite, which guarantees that their website is properly indexed and user- and search engine-friendly.

Conclusion

Creating XML and HTML sitemaps is an important step in improving your Magento 2 website’s SEO. Magento 2 provides an integrated feature for XML sitemaps, while an extension is needed for generating HTML sitemaps. If you need more control over your sitemaps, consider using an SEO extension like SEO Suite by SwissUpLabs to enhance functionality and customization.