Differences between an HTML sitemap and an XML sitemap?

[drusillajackson]

The XML site map feeds Google spider so it can see what pages you have on your website, including all the internal pages. XML sitemaps also connect your web pages more efficiently. For instance, if you have a lot of posts or pages and they are not necessarily all linked to from the homepage, you really need a place where Google can find out what you have on the site.

You need the HTML sitemap, as well. Now this is just a page with links on it, preferable key-worded links that describes what that page is about so that a user can click on the site map and see exactly what you have on your website. It makes the process simpler because often times users are unfamiliar with your site and the information you have on it. Because you are familiar with your business and website does not mean that everyone else is. Also, there are many people who might not know how to navigate websites all that well. Having an HTML sitemap makes it easier for these people because they can just go to your sitemap, click on what they want, and get taken to that location. So HTML is important for the user and also important to track how visitors use your website as well.