Does anyone have suggestions for a good XML Sitemap Generator?

[webestate]

Does anyone have any suggestions on a good XML Sitemap Generator?  Also interested in best practices and tips for updating the XML Sitemap.

I typically have relied on my web developers to do this however it seems that they have not been setting this up with SEO in mind.

[Nola504]

Hey Nathan,

I've used this one in the past <cite>www.xml-sitemaps.com/ </cite>

It works pretty decently for me, but you have to make sure you edit it after its created. Look for pages that no longer exist or are redirected somewhere else. Also make sure you aren't listing any pages with search query's in them, (www.url.com/index.php**?xxxx**) if you use search query's that way.

Updating is just what it is, every time you create a new page on your site, you need to update the site map.

[justin-brock]

I bought the standalone version of http://www.xml-sitemaps.com/standalone-google-sitemap-generator.html in 2007 or 8 and have really liked it. They've really kept the product updated, but the $19.99 price hasn't changed since.

It gives you a high degree of control, supports really large websites, generates multiple sitemaps (xml, image, video, news, mobile, ror, etc.) and more. Plus, updates are free for life once you purchase.

Use the free generator on the homepage to see how it works.

[justin-brock]

You can probably set it to ignore parameters you don't want added to the sitemap. Here's a screenshot from my standalone version to give you an idea of the settings.

LFfMo.jpg

[webestate]

Thanks Jbrock!

That really helps to see how yours is set up.  My website developer currently has a sitemap set up however I don't think its taking advantage of all the features possible.

[webestate]

Thank you Cyril.  Based on my research as well this seems to be a good option.  Google webmaster tools also recommends it.

[webestate]

there is already a sitemap on my server that was generated by my web developers.  What is the best practice for overriding an existing site map?

[justin-brock]

If you have ftp access to the root, you can simply overwrite the current one with a new one. Google will pick it up.

Also, you should include a link to all your sitemaps in a robots.txt file - also in the root. If you look at SEOMoz's robots.txt file, you can see how to do that. http://www.seomoz.org/robots.txt

[webestate]

Thanks for the info!  I'm working on loading up the xml-sitemaps software now.

What is the purpose of a link to all the sitemaps in a robots.txt file?

[justin-brock]

Google will look for /sitemaps.xml. This is pretty standard.

Some people may not name it that way - not advised. But if you're using the other sitemaps for images, videos, etc, then you can use the robots.txt file to tell search engines where they are explicitly.

Also, be sure to set up an account at http://www.google.com/webmasters/ and submit your sitemaps there.