Do you want to create an HTML sitemap page for your WordPress blog and allow visitors to navigate your blog and its content more easily? Then here’s what you need to do.
If you run a WordPress website, keeping it organized and user-friendly should be a top priority. One of the easiest ways to improve navigation is by adding an HTML sitemap. It not only helps users find content but also improves internal linking.
Back when I launched my site, I was obsessed with SEO. I focused a lot on ranking higher on Google. But over time, I realized that giving users a better experience is equally important. That’s when I started looking into HTML sitemaps.
An HTML sitemap is basically a page that shows all your important pages, posts, and categories in one place. Unlike XML sitemaps, which are meant for search engines, HTML sitemaps are made for people visiting your site. It works like a table of contents.
I noticed that after adding an HTML sitemap, users stayed longer on my site. They found content more easily, and it also boosted my SEO because of improved internal linking. It’s a simple trick, but it makes a big difference for both users and Google.
I didn’t want to install yet another plugin or mess with code. So, I used Rank Math SEO. It has a built-in option for HTML sitemaps. With just a few clicks, I created a dedicated page showing all my content. No tech skills needed!
Here’s what my sitemap looks like; you can check it out on my blog’s HTML Sitemap page.
It’s clean, easy to read, and updates automatically as I publish new posts or pages. That means I don’t have to do anything extra later.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through how to create your own HTML sitemap using Rank Math. I’ll explain why it’s helpful, how to enable it, and how to customize it to match your site. Whether you’re new or experienced, this guide will help.
Let’s dive in and get your HTML sitemap set up in minutes!
What is an HTML Sitemap?
When I first heard about sitemaps, I assumed they were only for search engines. I was familiar with XML sitemaps that help Google crawl a website, but I didn’t know there was also an HTML version meant for real visitors like us.
An HTML sitemap is basically a user-friendly page that lists all the important parts of your website. Think of it as a table of contents. It shows your pages, posts, and categories in one place, making it super easy for visitors to find stuff.
For example, if someone lands on my site and doesn’t know where to go next, they can visit the sitemap and instantly see what’s available. It’s way better than clicking around menus or digging through random categories.
I find HTML sitemaps especially useful on big websites. If your site only has a few pages, users won’t have trouble navigating. But once you start publishing more content, things can quickly get messy and harder to explore.
This happened to me after I added dozens of blog posts. Some older but useful posts got buried deep in the archives. After I added an HTML sitemap, I could even find those hidden gems faster!
How to Create an HTML Sitemap Page on WordPress
Now that you know what an HTML sitemap is and why it’s helpful, let’s move on to the fun part: setting it up with Rank Math. And honestly, it’s easier than you might think.
When I enabled mine, I didn’t need to install another plugin or write a single line of code. Rank Math has the feature built right in, which makes everything super simple.
If you’re already using Rank Math for SEO (which you should), enabling the HTML sitemap takes just a few quick steps. I’ll guide you through the whole process, from turning it on to showing it on a live page.
Let’s get started and create your HTML sitemap in minutes!
Step 1: Installing and Setting Up the Rank Math SEO Plugin
First, you need to install the Rank Math SEO plugin if you haven’t done so yet. [skip if you have already installed]
- Go to your WordPress dashboard.
- Navigate to Plugins > Add New.
- In the search bar, type “Rank Math SEO” and press Enter.
- Once you see it, click Install and then Activate the plugin.
- Rank Math will automatically guide you through a setup wizard. Just follow the steps to configure your basic SEO settings.
The setup wizard makes it easy, even for beginners, by giving you the right settings for your site without any confusion.
Step 2: Enable the HTML Sitemap Feature
By default, Rank Math comes with an XML sitemap enabled, but we need to turn on the HTML sitemap feature separately. Here’s how:
- In your WordPress dashboard, go to Rank Math > Sitemap Settings.
- You will find the HTML Sitemap section; click on it.
- Then click the toggle ON to enable the HTML Sitemap feature.
- Click Save Changes at the bottom of the page.
That’s it! Now, Rank Math will start generating an HTML sitemap for your website automatically.
Step 3: Add the Sitemap to Your Website’s Navigation (Recommended)
To help visitors find your HTML sitemap easily, I highly recommend adding it to your main menu or footer.
Here’s how I did it on my site:
- Go to Appearance > Menus in your WordPress dashboard.
- Pick the menu where you want the sitemap to appear.
- Click on Add Custom Link and paste your sitemap page URL.
- Give it a simple name like “Sitemap.”
- Hit Add to Menu, then click Save Menu.
That’s it! The sitemap link will now show up in your menu.
If you prefer, you can also add the link to your footer widget. Just head over to Appearance > Widgets and drop it in there.
Step 5: Test Your HTML Sitemap
Before calling it done, I always double-check my sitemap page to make sure everything looks and works perfectly.
Here’s a quick checklist you can follow:
If everything looks good and works fine, congrats! Your HTML sitemap is now up and running, making life easier for both your visitors and search engines.
Difference Between XML and HTML Sitemaps
Here’s where I got confused in the beginning: what’s the actual difference between XML and HTML sitemaps? So let me break it down for you in a simple way:
XML Sitemaps are made for bots like Googlebot. They’re written in code and tell search engines what pages exist on your site. Regular visitors don’t see them, they’re not user-friendly.
HTML Sitemaps are built for humans. It’s just a clean web page that lists your content in an organized way. Anyone visiting your site can use it to browse and find what they need faster.
Benefits of Using an HTML Sitemap
So why should you even bother creating an HTML sitemap? Here are a few key benefits I’ve personally noticed after adding one to my site:
1. Better User Experience: Visitors don’t have to guess where content is; they can find it instantly from the sitemap page.
2. Fast Crawling & Indexing: Search engines can follow the links on your sitemap and index your pages quicker, which helps your SEO.
3. Improved SEO Performance: Since the sitemap contains internal links to all your pages, it helps spread link juice and boosts rankings.
4. Stronger Internal Linking: You’re giving search engines more internal paths to follow, which improves site structure and visibility.
5. Perfect for Large Sites: If your site has tons of posts or pages, a sitemap gives users one clear place to explore everything.
Before using an HTML sitemap, I relied only on my menu. But menus can get crowded, and you can’t list every single post there. A sitemap solves that. It’s like giving your visitors a secret shortcut to all your content!
Conclusion
Setting up an HTML sitemap with Rank Math SEO is super easy.
You don’t need to touch a single line of code. I like how it updates automatically whenever I publish new content.
If you haven’t added one yet, I strongly recommend it. It not only makes your site easier to navigate but also improves SEO by giving search engines a clear view of your website’s structure.
Now that your HTML sitemap is live, the next smart move is to submit it to Google. This helps search engines crawl and index your content faster.
