xml-sitemap3 min read
Sitemaps, Canonicals, and Clean URLs: Housekeeping That Helps You Get Found
Learn about sitemaps, canonical URLs, and clean URLs for SEO
What Are Sitemaps, Canonicals, and Clean URLs?
Sitemaps are files that list the pages on your website, helping search engines discover and crawl your content. According to Google Search Central documentation, sitemaps help search engines discover and crawl your website's content.
Canonical URLs, on the other hand, are URLs that you specify as the preferred version of a page. As noted in MDN Web Docs, canonical URLs prevent duplicate content and improve SEO.
Clean URLs, also known as pretty URLs, are URLs that are easy to read and understand. web.dev notes that clean URLs improve user experience and accessibility by making it easier for users to navigate your website.
Why Do Crawlers Care About These Housekeeping Basics?
Crawlers use sitemaps to discover new content on your website and to understand the structure of your site. They also use canonical URLs to determine which version of a page is the preferred one, preventing duplicate content from being indexed.
Clean URLs, meanwhile, improve user experience and accessibility, making it easier for users to navigate your website and for search engines to understand the content of your pages.
By setting up sitemaps, canonical URLs, and clean URLs, you can help search engines understand your website's content and structure, improving your website's visibility and search engine rankings.
How Borg Sites Sets Up Sitemaps, Canonicals, and Clean URLs
Borg Sites automatically sets up sitemaps, canonical URLs, and clean URLs on every site. Our designers handle these housekeeping basics, so you don't have to. By using Borg Sites' hosting and care services, you can ensure that your website's sitemap, canonical URL, and clean URLs are always up-to-date.
This means you can focus on creating content and growing your business, while we take care of the technical details. With Borg Sites, you can trust that your website is optimized for search engines and provides a great user experience.
What to Do Next
Check your site's sitemap, canonical URL, and clean URLs to ensure they are set up correctly. If you're not sure how to do this, consider upgrading to Borg Sites' hosting and care services, which include automatic setup and maintenance of these housekeeping basics.
Learn more about Borg Sites' features and pricing to see how we can help you improve your website's SEO and online presence.
Frequently asked questions
What is a sitemap and why do I need one?
A sitemap is a file that lists the pages on your website, helping search engines discover and crawl your content. You need a sitemap to ensure that search engines can find and index all the pages on your website.
How do I set up a canonical URL?
To set up a canonical URL, you need to specify the preferred version of a page. This can be done by adding a canonical link tag to the head of the page or by using a plugin or module that handles canonical URLs for you.
What are clean URLs and why are they important?
Clean URLs, also known as pretty URLs, are URLs that are easy to read and understand. They are important because they improve user experience and accessibility, making it easier for users to navigate your website and for search engines to understand the content of your pages.