7 replies to this topic

[BrianR]

So far, all my site map pages have been static pages.

The dynamic site I'm currently working on has a content management system and the client adds several new pages each month.

To prevent the site map from being constantly out of date or requiring manual updating, the web designer has suggested a database generated page which will have this url: www.mydomain.co.uk/sitemap.asp

Is that heading for indexing trouble with SE's other than Google??

Thanks

BrianR

[robwatts]

I wouldnt think so.

If your site map is simply outputting the website content and adding new pages as they are formed then there really shouldn't be a problem,

That said, overtime, as the the website grows, you may well find that the site map ends up looking like a dogs dinner in that it contains 100's upon 100's of hyperlinks. I'd at least consider factoring this possibility in to any new design so that this doesn't happen.

Reason? well, general tidiness aside, there is a generally held belief that google for example, will not index and perhaps not follow links that are over and above a threshold of 100. Additionally, Google will only cache the first 101k of any page which suggests that content over this threshold will not be indexed.

[Scottie]

As long as they are developing a dynamic sitemap for you, how about designing it to include a short description with page link?

Helps both users and spiders.

[Mel]

I like to have the sitemap on asp sites use the page title as the text link to the page and use the meta description tag as a brief explanation of what the user will find there.

[Jill]

Brian, it sounds like a great idea to me. Make sure to have a static link to the sitemap page and you should be able to get all your pages spidered, eventually!

Jill

[Mel]

Forgot the mention that Google does not like to spider more than 100 links on a page. so if your site is large beak your sitemap into several smaller pages each of which is linked from the first sitemap page, and make sure the the first sitemap page has a link from your homepage.

[mopacfan]

Brian,

My site is an asp content managed site using SQL to house the text. Even though the navigation of my site is clear enough for a SE spider to follow, I added a site map just to be on the safe side. What I found is that it actually makes it easier to view my site because from that one page a person can see all of the content offered and quickly decide where he/she wants to visit. Now I just have to give some thought to the 100 link maximum and write some code to ensure it does not go over.

[BrianR]

Thank you one and all for your excellent advice - I can now proceed with confidence.

How did I manage before this forum came along!?

BrianR