Not every site needs a site map, they can certainly be a good idea. Site maps provide a dual purpose: They provide search engine spiders easy access to all of your site pages and they provide site visitors easy access to all of your site pages. The difference is that search engines and visitors access your site map differently and therefore there are different methods that need to be applied to creating site map(s) that are friendly for both engines and search spiders.

Small sites typically don't need a site map so long as all pages are linked in the main navigation. Once you get into main and sub-navigation menu's then site maps are helpful in allowing search engines and visitors to quickly find anything they are looking for within just a couple of clicks. A single site map can be used for both purposes or multiple site maps can be created. Here we'll address creating site maps for spiders and humans separately.

Site Map For Spiders

.xml file

An .xml document should be added to your site's root directory containing links to all site pages. This .xml file should then be referenced should be compiled and placed into a proper .xml document which should be uploaded into the root directory.

Robots.txt file

With your .xml site map file in place you must then make it accessible to search spiders. Reference the site map in your robots.txt file by adding a line for sitemap: URL (example: sitemap: http://www.polepositionmarketing.com/sitemap.xml)

Keep current

Be sure that your .xml file is updated and uploaded frequently, or at least as often as pages are added or removed from your site. Large sites should implement an automated site map update monthly or even weekly or daily.

Site Map For Visitors

Navigation links

A site map designed for human visitors is just like any other website page. Link to the site map page should be included in the primary navigation or the site's global footer. Visitors should be able to find this link without too much searching.

Additional page links

Site map should also be linked from various pages within the site such as Help pages and your custom 404-redirect page. This helps point visitors to the site map as a quick and easy means to find what they need.

Overview

It's helpful to provide a short overview paragraph at the top of your site map page. This can be a nice introduction should someone land on this page directly from a search engine or elsewhere.

Heading and layout

The layout of the site map should present a clear visual hierarchal structure or your website. Both headings and sub-headings should be used above properly grouped links.

Text links & descriptions

Site map should primarily use textual links and page should not be cluttered with images or other distractions. It is also a good idea to provide an additional short description (provided there is room) for each link that allows the visitor to better understand where each link will take them.

Keep current

Be sure that your site map is updated and uploaded frequently, or at least as often as pages are added or removed from your site.

As I said above, not every site needs a site map. But those that do should be sure that the site map(s) they create are actually benefiting them. And the best way to do that is to make sure your site maps provide maximum usability for visitors and search engine spiders.

When creating content for your website, it's best to be careful about where you get your content from, whether it's from a freelancer or from another website. You do not want to get on the wrong side of the law or get on someone's bad books when it comes to their copyrighted work.

Unless you take articles from article directories, you must contact the author and ask for their permission. There is no way around that. Sure, the author would like to receive the free publicity, but it's best to let him or her know before you use their work. It's common courtesy.

I'm a heavy article author and marketer, so I know the tricks people pull to get articles on their websites. Some will include links which don't work, don't include the resource box, or just plain spin my articles into their own by changing the title and leaving everything else the same. I usually don' take much action unless it's a major case, because I've got better things to do with my time, like marketing my business and serving my customers, but others might do things differently. They'll certainly take action if they feel it warrants it.

I can tell you from personal experience; trust is low on the Internet and people are willing to take legal action (my freelancer is doing that just now to someone else who copied her work). So it's best to stay on the safe side and play by the rules. Don't ever plagiarize someone else's work and you'll avoid any copyright issues!

Making your web site easy for international visitors to understand is what website internationalization is all about. There are times when differences in vocabulary may crop up. This can even happen across different industries in the same country.

One of the ways you can help your readers is to start a Glossary.

In your glossary you can list industry specific words and all words you use commonly where others may not have the exact same understanding. If you explain a process in your communication, think of including verbs in your glossary.

The key to making your glossary work for you is to strive for accuracy, clarity, and ease of understanding.

Accuracy

In some cases a lack of accuracy can have devastating effects.

• In health issues.
• In reference to using machinery.

Clarity

A glossary's aim is to give a clear meaning to the words you use. Keep your explanations as clear as possible. If they only lead to further misunderstandings or do not answer the readers questions, you would be better off without one.

Ease Of Understanding

Keep your glossary very easy read and people will enjoy reading it. Pay attention to the general appearance of the glossary as a whole as well as the individual explanations.

An Added Value

After ready through a well done glossary, the reader may well come away feeling appreciative of the easy to read informative experience. It is a wonderful touch of thoughtfulness to your international visitors.

Non-native English speakers will greatly appreciate its value.

Prepares For Translation

A glossary is highly recommended in certain industries where specific vocabulary requires expert translations.

In some instances some people feel they can take a dictionary out and provide translations of key vocabulary in languages other than their mother-tongue. This can lead to further misunderstandings. A glossary well done is far better than taking on translation skills when you do not have them.

However, your glossary will be of significant value to a professional translator once you decide to offer multilingual services.

Glossaries are also appreciated in non-technical areas too. Cultural habits differ. People can use vocabulary differently. Glossaries provide insight into how you communicate and provide a base for cross-cultural dialogue.