A sitemap, the file that lists all the URLs in your website, is an integral part of your site design and search engine optimization (SEO) process. A sitemap’s existence is crucial to your PageRank because it tells Googlebot where to start and where to go next when it crawls your pages. Without such a file, generally created in XML, HTML, or CSV format, your website might never get the attention it needs to appear in search engine results pages (SERPs).
Free Sitemap Generators We’ve Tested
As a sitemap is largely made up of URLs and code, creating it manually is challenging and prone to errors. Fortunately, some of the best sitemap generators around are free to use. Sounds shady? Don’t let the word “free” stop you from using them to create your sitemap. Even the most skilled web developers use these sitemap generators to save resources and time.
Here are the 10 best sitemap generators we found (and used), listed in no particular order.
1. XML-Sitemaps.com
This sitemap generator, which has a free and Pro paid version, is arguably the most frequently referenced. The free tool can be used for up to 500 URLs. Beyond that, you will need to sign up for its paid plan, which costs $3.49 monthly. XML-Sitemaps also has other SEO features, including a SERP page checker, sitemap validator, keyword density calculator, and competitor analysis.
2. Screaming Frog XML Sitemap Generator
Screaming Frog has an XML sitemap generator that’s free to download and use for up to 500 URLs. If your website has more pages, you will need to purchase its SEO Spider license for £149.00 per year (approx. $205).
3. Inspyder Sitemap Creator
The Inspyder sitemap tool has a free trial version for up to 25 pages. Otherwise, you’ll need to pay a one-time fee of $39.99 to download and install it on your desktop. Inspyder also offers free website analysis tools, such as the HTTP Header Viewer, HTML/URL Encoder, and Sitemap Validator (to check for errors on your XML sitemap).
4. Flowmapp
This free sitemap tool also lets you create a visual version of your sitemap. In addition, you may invite your teammates aboard to plan, collaborate, and organize from within the app. The free Flowmapp tool is for one active project, 50 pages, and 100MB of space. Its paid options allow the crawling of unlimited pages, with prices ranging from $15 to $199 per month.
5. GitMind
GitMind is a nifty web-based mind mapping app that lets you draw any diagram, including a sitemap. Generating sitemaps is free, and you can export the file as an SVG, TXT, PDF, or image. You can also share its URL via a link.
6. Slickplan
Slickplan has an easy-to-use drag-and-drop interface for its free sitemap generator, which is limited to one sitemap and a single user. Just sign up for a free account on its website. If you want unlimited access to all its features, which include a content planner and diagram maker, it will cost you $9.99 to $99.99 per month, depending on the number of users, active projects, and storage space.
7. GlooMaps
This app lets you create visual sitemaps for free with just a few clicks. The map you create on its site will be available online for 14 days unless it is revisited, which extends its validity for another 14 days every time. When you’re done, you can save your sitemap to your computer in XML, PNG, or PDF format.
8. Writemaps
WriteMaps lets you generate a sitemap for free for up to 50 pages, with a limit of three sitemaps. Beyond that, you will need to subscribe to its paid plan, which starts at $14.99 per month.
9. Yoast SEO (plugin)
Yoast SEO is probably the most popular free WordPress plugin for basic SEO and is the tool of choice to insert an XML sitemap. It has a premium version that costs $89 for one year. Yoast SEO is packed with plenty of SEO features, like automated meta tags and canonical URLs, templating for titles and meta descriptions, and an integration with Schema.org (schema markup language repository for webmasters).
10. Google XML Sitemaps (plugin)
WordPress users know the Google XML Sitemaps plugin all too well, not only because a sitemap is necessary but because this free tool is very easy to use. It also generates HTML sitemaps.
Does Google Have Its Own Sitemap Generator?
Google used to have its own open-source tool called Google Sitemap Generator, which it placed on beta testing sometime in 2009. It was designed to create XML sitemaps, mobile sitemaps, and code search sitemaps. However, the company later announced that it was no longer pushing forward with its plans for the short term. For now, website owners and developers can use any of the best sitemap generators listed above.
Sitemap creation can be an intimidating process, but it’s all pretty much fluid if you have the right tools. The good news is that many of the sitemap generators come at zero cost. If you need help with your sitemap or have general technical SEO questions, get in touch with Markitors. Our team is ready to provide the help you need to optimize your site and make it rank high up in search results.
