XML sitemap

File listing all the URLs of a website to facilitate their indexing by search engines like Google. Indispensable for technical SEO.

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What is an XML sitemap?

An XML sitemap is a structured file that lists all the URLs of a website, with optional metadata (date of last modification, frequency of update, priority). It is intended for search engine robots to tell them which pages to explore and index. It is usually accessed via the URL mysite.fr/sitemap.xml.

Why is an XML sitemap important for SEO?

The XML sitemap accelerates and facilitates the indexing of pages, especially on large sites, recent sites or those whose internal networking is insufficient. It does not guarantee indexing but increases the chances of Google discovering new pages quickly. It is particularly useful during a redesign to ensure that new URLs are crawled without delay.

How do I submit an XML sitemap to Google?

The recommended method is to submit the sitemap via Google Search Console, in the “Sitemaps” section. It can also be referenced directly in the robots.txt file with the directive Sitemap: https://monsite.fr/sitemap.xml. These two approaches are complementary and not exclusive.

How does Webflow manage the XML sitemap?

Webflow automatically generates an XML sitemap for each published site. It is accessible at the URL mysite.webflow.io/sitemap.xml or on the custom domain. Pages marked as “no-index” are automatically excluded. For sites with CMS, published collection items are included dynamically. There is no manual configuration required, which greatly simplifies the SEO technique.

Glossary

Discover more glossary terms

These definitions will allow you to deepen your knowledge of important concepts and words that are often used in our field.

Prototype

A prototype is a preliminary and interactive version of a digital product, allowing the functionalities and the user experience to be tested before development.

User journey

The user journey is the set of steps that a user follows when interacting with a product, from discovery to purchase or engagement.

Heatmap

A heatmap visualizes the areas of a website where users click the most, helping the company to analyze engagement and optimization.

CRO (Conversion Rate Optimization)

The Conversion rate optimization (CRO) improves the percentage of visitors who perform a desired action on your website.

SEO

SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is the set of techniques aimed at improving the visibility of a website in search engine results.

Micro-interactions

Microinteractions are small visual animations or reactions that improve the user experience and make interfaces more engaging.