Google Sitemaps ? A New Free Google Tool

Google has released another valuable. The tool, "Sitemaps", allows you to notify Google of site updates. As with all Google tools, the service is free.

Sitemaps ? What Is It?

Sitemaps is a platform that let's Webmasters notify Google of, ta da, changes to a site. In creating the tool, Google suggests the tool will let it expand coverage of pages on the web and speed up the time it takes to index sites. This goal appears to conflict with the much discussed Google Sandbox, but there is no harm in using Sitemaps.

Sitemaps ? Uploading Your Changes

Google provides two methods for using Sitemaps. The first involves creating an xml file on your server. The process is a bit detailed, so it will not be covered in this article. You can find specific instructions at:

https://www.google.com/webmasters/sitemaps/docs/en/protocol.html

Sitemaps ? Manual Uploads

Google also provides a method to manually upload site changes. The first step is to create a list of the URL changes using Notepad. For example, we recently changed a number of pages on NomadJournals.com. To use Sitemaps, we would create the following list of URLs:

http://www.nomadjournals.com/

http://www.nomadjournals.com/travel_accessories_jour nal.cfm

http://www.nomadjournals.com/bird_watcher_books.cfm

http://www.nomadjournals.com /fly_fishing_equiptment.cfm

http://www.nomadjournals.com/hiking_camping_backpacking.cfm

Next, save the file as an .xml file. Go to Google Sitemaps at:

https://www.google.com/webmasters/sitemaps/login

Just upload the file. That's it.

Common Questions

1. Do you need an account with Google?

You do not need an account with Google to use Sitemaps. That being said, you should open one since Sitemaps lets you monitor the progress of the indexing of your changes.

2. Will Using Sitemaps Help My Rankings?

Ah, we get to the crux of the matter. Unfortunately, Google clearly states using Sitemaps has no effect on rankings. There is a small benefit, however, in at least making sure your pages are being indexed.

3. Will Google index all of the URLs in my Sitemap?

Surprisingly, the answer is no. Still, Google wouldn't be providing the tool if it didn't have some benefit. According to Google, using Sitemaps will have no negative impact on your site rankings.

4. How long will it take for my URLs to be crawled after I generate and submit a Sitemap?

Google provides no answer to this question. Instead, it simply says indexing times should pass as the tool is refined.

In Closing

Using Google Sitemaps is probably worth the effort. If nothing else, you will be able to monitor the indexing process and progress. The best way to get your site indexed, however, remains generating links to your site.

Halstatt Pires is with http://www.marketingtitan.com - an Internet marketing and advertising company comprised of a search engine optimization specialist providing meta tag optimization services and Internet marketing consultant providing internet marketing solutions through integrated design and programming services.

---

DOI, a Proven Marketing Tool for Driving Traffic and Increasing Search Engine Rankings

The Digital Object Identifier otherwise known as the DOI is... Read More

Ways To Outsell Your Competition

Competition is fierce on the Internet. There are a multitude... Read More

An Internet Marketing Solutions Company Confesses

a) An internet marketing solutions company tells you that they're... Read More

10 Scorching Ways To Heat Up Your Sales

1. Email each visitor a satisfaction questionnaire after they purchase.... Read More

Online Advertising for Dummies

Whether you are checking your email, shopping on a website... Read More

FSBO Upscale Manhattan Co-op -- Only Strongest Offers Entertained

Had I known in 1985 what I know now about... Read More

What is RSS - For Marketers

RSS is a technology that has the potential of overcoming... Read More

Internet Marketers and Two-Year-Olds: Just Toddling Around Asking Lots of Questions

I recently noticed that my friend's two-year-old, Conor, is getting... Read More

An Internet Marketing Plan Is Crucial

A Internet marketing plan provides you with a way to... Read More

Secrets To Successful Selling Online

What is the secret to selling online? This is a... Read More

Internet Marketing Guide

If you are considering launching a website for your business... Read More

The Secret to Making More Money in Your Online Business: Lessons From Monopoly

Thousands and thousands of people are striving to make more... Read More

The Power of Viral Marketing

When I first heard of the term Viral Marketing I... Read More

Marketing on the Internet: Legal Rules of the Road

The Internet is connecting advertisers and marketers to customers from... Read More

Online Network Marketing 101B - Basic Must Steps to Follow to be a Successful Marketer

In my earlier article, "Online Network Marketing 101A", I wrote... Read More

Defining the Relations Between Blogs, E-zines, RSS, and E-mail

Although RSS and blogs are slowly reaching mainstream, they are... Read More

Identifying Top- and Bottom-Line Growth Strategies for Your Web Business

Defining Top-Line versus Bottom-LineAn Internet business improves their "top line"... Read More

How You Can Promote Products And Services In Internet

There are two ways how you can promote products and... Read More

Web Marketing: Unusual Tricks Of Internet Marketing Gurus To Attract More Visibility

Do you post to message boards, e-mail discussion lists, classified... Read More

5 Ways Al-Quaeda is Using Internet Marketing

Internet Marketing is not dead. But it may have caused... Read More

Internet Marketing Help

If you're looking for Internet marketing help you've come to... Read More

Internet Consultants for Online Sales

Beware of Internet Consultants, as many of them have never... Read More

What Are 7 Psychological Triggers That Make People Buy?

Did you know that there are seven psychological techniques that... Read More

Internet Marketing Requires Lots of Patience!

When you first make a decision to start an Internet... Read More

Why Niche Marketing Yields Good Profits

Have you ever been told to find your niche? In... Read More

Dramatically Boost Your Exposure With A Press Release

Do you have a website but seem puzzled to how... Read More

The Right Mindset : Key To Success In Online Business

Today we are going to discuss a very important requirement... Read More

How To Win The Marketing War, Capture Your Prospects Mind

As a marketer you are engaged in a "War" with... Read More

What is Pay Per Call? How does it work?

Pay Per Call is the next wave of advertising on... Read More

Killer Internet Marketing Errors - How to Avoid Them

With 95% of all Internet businesses failing, it is important... Read More

Collective Courtesy

I don't know what you are promoting, or what methods... Read More

The Most Profitable Product In The World You Can Ever Sell!

Thank goodness, the most profitable product in the world you... Read More

10 Creative Ways to Sell and Market Resale Rights Products Offline

Are you having a tough time selling that ebook or... Read More