According to Google,

…we use the data in your Sitemap to learn about your site’s structure, which will allow us to improve our crawler schedule and do a better job crawling your site in the future. In most cases, webmasters will benefit from Sitemap submission, and in no case will you be penalized for it.

To read more about Sitemaps and why you should use them, go to the Original BlogByte on BrandByte.com

For WordPress:

I use ‘Google (XML) Sitemaps Generator’ for WordPress. Install the plugin from the ‘PlugIn’ option on your wordpress admin dashboard

The settings are pretty self-explanatory.

For Joomla:

I use the popular Xmap Component. Install the component and you are pretty much set.

Online XML Sitemap Generator

If you are unable to use the above options, you can also submit your site’s URL to http://www.xml-sitemaps.com/ (among others) and have a XML Sitemap generated for you. You then have to download the generated Sitemap.xml file and upload it to the server hosting your domain.

After creating a Sitemap.xml, you can either wait for search engines to find your site (and Sitemap) or be proactive about it by submitting your Sitemap directly to search engines. I like telling major search engines about the sites I help build, instead of waiting for them to find out.

Submit Sitemap to Google

1. Sign in to your Google account to access Google Webmaster Tools
2. Enter the URL for your site in the Add Site field (e.g., http://www.yourdomain.com)
3. Click OK. You will now have to verify your site. Authentication of your site will give you access to a lot of great information on your site statistics
4. Go Back to WordPress or Joomla to Copy the link to your Sitemap file:
   WordPress: Settings> XML-Sitemap

   

   Joomla: Components> Xmap

   

5. In Google Webmaster tools, click on link to your site (from step 1,2,3 above) and on the left hand side dashboard, Click Site Configuration > Submit a Sitemap
6. Paste the URL to your Sitemap.xml file
7. Click Submit Sitemap

Submit Sitemap to Bing

1. Sign into Bing Webmasters Tools
2. Enter the URL for your site in the Add Site field (e.g., http://www.yourdomain.com)
3. Click OK. You will now have to verify your site
4. In WordPress or Joomla, Copy the URL to your Sitemap (see step 4 above, of ‘Submit your Sitemap to Google’)
5. In Bing Webmasters Tools, Click on your site name and Crawl (Tab) >Sitemaps (on the left side)
6. Click Add Sitemap
7. Paste URL and Click Submit

Submit Sitemap to Yahoo!

1. Sign in to ‘Yahoo Site Explorer’ with your Yahoo! account.
2. Enter the URL for your Sitemap.xml (see earlier lines on how to find URL in WordPress and Joomla) in the Submit Site feed field (e.g., http://www.yourdomain.com)
3. Click Submit Feed

That’s it!

Obviously, Sitemaps are just a small part of what you can do to promote your site. The most efficient way to get social mentions and a high ranking on search engines is to provide great content.

Have you implemented an XML Sitemap for your blog or you plan to? Anything else to add?