How to Update Sitemap in Shopify.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Understanding Sitemaps: What Is a Shopify Sitemap?
3. How to Find Your Shopify Sitemap
4. Submitting Your Shopify Sitemap to Google Search Console
5. How to Update Your Shopify Sitemap
6. Best Practices for Maintaining Your Sitemap
7. Conclusion
8. FAQ

Introduction

Imagine your online store as a vast library of products, each with its own unique page, waiting to be discovered by eager readers—your customers. However, if the library is poorly organized, finding the right book becomes a daunting task. This is where a sitemap plays a crucial role. A sitemap acts as a roadmap for search engines, guiding them through your website's structure and ensuring that every important page gets indexed.

For Shopify store owners, understanding how to manage and update your sitemap is vital for maximizing visibility in search results. Shopify automatically generates a sitemap for your store, but knowing how to keep it current is essential for maintaining optimal performance and ensuring that your products, pages, and blog posts are easily accessible to search engines.

In this blog post, we will cover everything you need to know about updating your sitemap in Shopify. You will learn what a sitemap is, how to find and submit it, and the steps to effectively manage and update it as needed. By the end of this article, you will have a comprehensive understanding of how to keep your Shopify sitemap up to date, ensuring that your store remains visible and competitive in the e-commerce landscape.

Understanding Sitemaps: What Is a Shopify Sitemap?

A Shopify sitemap is an XML file containing a structured list of all the pages, products, and content on your website. It serves two primary purposes: helping search engines discover and index your site's content and providing a clear overview of your site's organization.

Types of Sitemaps

1. XML Sitemap: This is the standard format used by search engines like Google and Bing. It lists all the URLs of your site and includes additional metadata such as the last modification date and the priority of each page. Shopify automatically generates an XML sitemap for your store, which is a significant advantage for store owners who may not have technical expertise.

2. HTML Sitemap: Unlike XML sitemaps, HTML sitemaps are designed for users. They provide a navigational aid that allows visitors to find pages on your site easily. While not as critical for SEO, an HTML sitemap can enhance user experience by offering a comprehensive view of your site's structure.

Why Sitemaps Matter

Sitemaps are essential for improving your site's SEO. They allow search engines to crawl and index your pages more efficiently, which can lead to better visibility in search results. A well-maintained sitemap can also help prevent issues like duplicate content and ensure that all your important pages are included in search engine indexes.

How to Find Your Shopify Sitemap

Finding your Shopify sitemap is straightforward. Shopify generates the sitemap automatically, and you can access it by appending /sitemap.xml to the end of your store's URL. For example, if your store's URL is https://example.com, your sitemap can be found at https://example.com/sitemap.xml.

The generated sitemap will typically include separate entries for:

• Product pages
• Collection pages
• Blog posts
• Additional pages like the contact or about page

Automatic Updates

One of the significant benefits of Shopify is that your sitemap is automatically updated whenever you add or remove products, pages, or blog posts. This means that you don’t have to manually adjust your sitemap each time you make changes to your store.

Submitting Your Shopify Sitemap to Google Search Console

To ensure that search engines can find your site efficiently, you should submit your sitemap to Google Search Console. This process helps Google understand your site's structure and improves the chances of your pages being indexed correctly.

Step-by-Step Submission Guide

1. Log in to Google Search Console: If you don't have an account, you'll need to create one and verify your site.
2. Access the Sitemaps Section: Once logged in, navigate to the Sitemaps tab on the left sidebar.
3. Enter Your Sitemap URL: In the "Add a new sitemap" field, enter sitemap.xml (your full sitemap URL should already be filled in).
4. Submit: Click the submit button, and your sitemap will be sent to Google for indexing.

Verifying Your Domain

Before submitting your sitemap, ensure that your domain is verified in Google Search Console. This process typically involves adding a meta tag or uploading an HTML file to your Shopify store.

How to Update Your Shopify Sitemap

While Shopify handles most of the sitemap updating automatically, there may be instances where you want to remove certain pages or products from the sitemap. For example, if a product is discontinued or a page is no longer relevant, removing it from the sitemap can help maintain the integrity of your site's indexing.

Using StoreSEO for Sitemap Management

For those who want more control over their sitemap, third-party apps like StoreSEO can be a game changer. With StoreSEO, you can easily edit and update your Shopify sitemap without needing to navigate through complex processes.

Steps to Update Your Sitemap with StoreSEO

1. Install StoreSEO: First, install the StoreSEO app from the Shopify App Store.
2. Navigate to the Sitemap Tab: From your Shopify admin dashboard, go to the Apps section and select StoreSEO.
3. Update Your Sitemap: In the Sitemap tab, you will have options to add or remove products from the sitemap. Simply check the items you want to remove and select the option to disable them.
4. Save Your Changes: Ensure you save any updates you make.

Common Issues and Troubleshooting

When updating your sitemap, you may encounter some common issues, such as:

• Error Messages: If Google Search Console reports errors, check to ensure that your sitemap is accessible and correctly formatted.
• Pages Not Indexed: If certain pages are not appearing in search results, consider whether they are included in your sitemap and whether they should be indexed.

Best Practices for Maintaining Your Sitemap

1. Regular Updates: Even though Shopify automatically updates your sitemap, it’s good practice to periodically check it, especially after significant changes to your product catalog or site structure.
2. Monitor Google Search Console: Regularly review your Google Search Console account for any indexing issues or errors related to your sitemap.
3. Remove Unwanted Pages: Ensure that your sitemap only includes relevant pages. Use tools like StoreSEO to manage outdated content effectively.
4. Test Your Sitemap: Use sitemap testing tools to ensure that your sitemap is properly formatted and free of errors.

Conclusion

Understanding how to update your sitemap in Shopify is a crucial aspect of managing your e-commerce store effectively. By ensuring that your sitemap is accurate and up-to-date, you enhance your store's visibility in search engines, making it easier for potential customers to find your products.

As we’ve discussed, Shopify automates much of the sitemap management process, but tools like StoreSEO provide added flexibility and control. Regularly monitoring and updating your sitemap will help maintain your SEO efforts and contribute to your store's overall success.

FAQ

How often should I update my Shopify sitemap?
Shopify automatically updates your sitemap whenever you add or remove products or pages. However, if you want to remove specific items, you can do so using tools like StoreSEO.

What do I do if my sitemap encounters errors?
Check Google Search Console for reported issues and troubleshoot accordingly. Ensure your sitemap is accessible and correctly formatted.

Can I customize my Shopify sitemap?
While Shopify generates an XML sitemap automatically, you can use apps like StoreSEO to manage and customize your sitemap more thoroughly.

Do I need to create an HTML sitemap?
An HTML sitemap is not required but can enhance user experience by providing a navigational tool for visitors.

What happens if I don’t submit my sitemap?
If you don’t submit your sitemap, search engines may still index your site, but the process may take longer, and some pages may not be indexed at all.

By following these guidelines, you can ensure that your Shopify store remains visible and competitive in the ever-evolving e-commerce landscape. For additional help or to explore further assistance, consider reaching out to experts like Praella, who specialize in user experience and strategic growth for e-commerce businesses.