Shopify Sitemap: What It Is & How to Submit One

As an online store owner, you want to ensure that your Shopify website is easily discoverable by search engines and provides a seamless browsing experience for your customers. One way to achieve this is by creating and submitting a sitemap to search engines. In this article, we will explain what a Shopify sitemap is, why it is important, and how you can submit it to enhance your site’s visibility and navigation.

What is a Shopify Sitemap?

A sitemap is a file that lists all the pages on your website, helping search engines understand its structure and content. It acts as a roadmap for search engine crawlers, making it easier for them to index your site and display relevant search results to users.

In the case of Shopify, a sitemap is automatically generated for your store and includes all the pages, collections, products, blog posts, and other relevant content. It provides a comprehensive overview of your website’s structure, allowing search engines to navigate through your site more efficiently.

Why is a Shopify Sitemap Important?

Having a sitemap for your Shopify store offers several benefits:

1. Improved Search Engine Visibility

By submitting your sitemap to search engines like Google, you increase the chances of your website being crawled and indexed more effectively. This can lead to higher rankings in search engine results pages (SERPs) and increased organic traffic to your site.

2. Faster Indexing

A sitemap helps search engines discover and index new or updated pages on your Shopify store more quickly. Instead of waiting for search engine bots to stumble upon your site, you can proactively notify them about any changes or additions to your content.

3. Enhanced Site Navigation

A sitemap not only benefits search engines but also improves the user experience on your website. It provides a clear structure of your site’s content, making it easier for visitors to navigate through different pages and find the information they are looking for.

How to Find Your Shopify Sitemap

Locating your Shopify sitemap is a straightforward process. Follow these steps:

1. Log in to your Shopify Admin

Access your Shopify account by entering your credentials on the login page.

2. Go to the Online Store Settings

Once you are logged in, click on “Online Store” in the left-hand menu and select “Preferences” from the dropdown menu.

3. Find the Sitemap URL

Scroll down to the “Search engine listing preview” section. Here, you will find your sitemap URL in the format: https://yourstorename.myshopify.com/sitemap.xml. Copy this URL as you will need it later.

How to Submit Your Shopify Sitemap to Google

Now that you have located your Shopify sitemap, it’s time to submit it to Google. Follow these steps:

1. Set Up Google Search Console

If you haven’t already, create a Google Search Console account and verify ownership of your website. This will allow you to monitor your site’s performance in Google search results and submit your sitemap.

2. Add Your Website to Google Search Console

In the Google Search Console dashboard, click on “Add Property” and enter your website’s URL. Follow the verification steps provided by Google to confirm ownership.

3. Access the Sitemaps Section

Once your website is verified, navigate to the “Sitemaps” section in the left-hand menu of Google Search Console.

4. Submit Your Sitemap

Click on the “Add/Test Sitemap” button and enter the URL of your Shopify sitemap that you copied earlier. Click “Submit” to complete the process.

Congratulations! You have successfully submitted your Shopify sitemap to Google. It may take some time for Google to crawl and index your website, so be patient and monitor your site’s performance through Google Search Console.

Conclusion

A Shopify sitemap is a crucial tool for improving search engine visibility and enhancing site navigation. By creating and submitting a sitemap, you can ensure that search engines understand the structure and content of your website, leading to better rankings and increased organic traffic. Follow the steps outlined in this article to find your Shopify sitemap and submit it to Google for optimal results. Start reaping the benefits of a well-optimized sitemap today!