How to Create a Site Map Page in Australia: The Complete Guide for Startup Founders

I’ve seen founders spend thousands on design, only to have visitors bounce because they can’t find what they need. A Site Map Page solves that: it’s a simple, structured list of all your important pages, making your site easier to navigate for both users and Google.

When a Perth-based consulting firm I worked with added a clean HTML sitemap, their average time on site increased by 22%. At the same time, their XML sitemap helped Google index their new service pages within days. Two wins — one simple page.

A Site Map Page isn’t just a technical checkbox. It’s a quiet power move for usability, credibility, and SEO.

It’s a quiet power move for usability, credibility, and SEO.

What Exactly Is a Site Map Page?

A Site Map Page is a page that lists and links to the key sections of your website in a clear hierarchy. It serves two purposes:

1. For visitors: It’s a navigation aid, giving a bird’s-eye view of your site.

2. For search engines: It supports crawling and indexing, especially when paired with an XML sitemap.

Core Elements to Include

• Links to all main site sections (Home, About, Services, Shop, Blog, Contact)

• Subpages listed under parents (e.g., About → Team, Careers)

• Blog categories or archives (if applicable)

• Legal pages (Privacy Policy, Terms & Conditions)

Extra Features That Add Value

• Search bar for easier navigation

• Breadcrumbs (so visitors see structure clearly)

• Organised by section headings, not just a long list

• Internal anchor links for large sites

Together, this creates a resource that’s useful for humans and machines.

Why This Could Make or Break Your Website

• User experience: Visitors who feel lost often turn to the sitemap as a safety net.

• SEO indexing: A proper sitemap makes sure Google finds every page worth ranking.

• Credibility: Shows your site is structured and trustworthy.

• Conversion assist: Visitors can jump directly to the content they want, instead of giving up.

Remember: your sitemap reflects your brand’s thinking. If it’s messy, people assume your business is too.

Before You Start

Gather these before building:

• A full list of live pages on your site

• Logical grouping by category (services, resources, etc.)

• URLs checked and updated (no broken links)

• Decisions on what not to include (avoid duplicate or thin content pages)

• XML sitemap generated (for search engines)

How to Build a Site Map Page:

Step by Step

Step 1: Audit Your Current Pages

• Use your CMS or a crawling tool to generate a list.

• Result: You have a complete inventory of content.

Step 2: Organise Pages Into Sections

• Group logically: e.g., “Company,” “Products,” “Resources,” “Support.”

• Result: Visitors instantly understand your site’s structure.

Step 3: Create a Simple HTML Sitemap Page

• Format with headings and bullet links.

• Add search or anchor links if your site is large.

• Result: Human-friendly navigation page live on your site.

Step 4: Generate an XML Sitemap

• Use tools like Yoast SEO, Screaming Frog, or your CMS.

• Submit to Google Search Console and Bing Webmaster Tools.

• Result: Search engines crawl and index efficiently.

Step 5: Link to Your Sitemap Page

• Add a link in your footer (standard practice).

• Result: Visitors can always find it when lost.

Step 6: Keep It Updated

• Review quarterly or whenever you add/remove sections.

• Result: Accuracy is maintained for both users and crawlers.

Mistakes to Avoid

Forgetting to update: An outdated sitemap confuses visitors and misguides crawlers.

Overloading with every minor page: Stick to meaningful content pages.

Hiding it away: A sitemap link buried too deep isn’t useful.

Only building XML: Search engines benefit, but humans don’t. You need both.

Real-World Examples

• A Sydney e-commerce store built a clean HTML sitemap organised by product category. Customers used it to jump straight into collections, lowering bounce rates.

• A Brisbane SaaS company relied only on XML. Customers kept calling support because they couldn’t find features. Adding a visible sitemap fixed it.

What It Costs and How Long It Takes

You’ll need to budget for both money and time.

Here’s what founders usually face:

• DIY / In-house: $0–$50 AUD | 1–2 hours | Use CMS plugins (WordPress, Shopify).

• Template/Resource: $50–$200 AUD | 2–3 hours | ProDesk® HTML sitemap templates.

• Professional / Done-for-you: $500–$1,500 AUD | 1–2 weeks | Custom design + XML setup.

  
  

• Ongoing / Renewal: $0–$100 AUD | 1 hour per update | Update sitemap quarterly or as site grows.

Hidden Costs

• Missed indexing if XML isn’t submitted.

• Lost conversions if visitors can’t find what they need.

• Brand credibility hit from a messy, outdated sitemap.

Mentor Tip

Create two sitemaps: one HTML version for humans and one XML version for search engines. Link them in your footer and submit XML to Google Search Console.

What to Do Next

✅ Download the Site Map Builder Kit from ProDesk

Build your sitemap faster with plug-and-play tools made for founders who want clarity and structure. Includes the Page Audit Tracker, Hierarchy Mapping Grid, and HTML Sitemap Template — everything you need to make your website easy to navigate for both users and Google. [ProDesk.com]

✅ Book a Site Architecture Session with Noize

Don’t just design pages — we optimise your structure. We’ll help you organise your site’s content, improve crawl depth, and strengthen your SEO foundation so every page works harder for you. [Noize.com.au]

✅ Are you a StartUp ? Get The StartUp Deck.

Access founder-tested strategies, and optimisation systems —— to scale your digital footprint with confidence. Build smarter from day one by breaking down the steps most founders miss - until its too late. [TheStartUpDeck.com]

By acting now, you keep both people and Google moving smoothly through your site.

The Bottom Line

Your Site Map Page is quiet but powerful. It helps customers find what they need, reassures investors that your business is structured, and helps Google index you properly.

Ignore it, and you risk being invisible. Build it well, and it becomes one of your site’s most efficient navigational and SEO tools.

FAQs

Do I need both an HTML and an XML sitemap? 

Yes. One serves people, the other serves search engines. Both are valuable.

Where should I place my sitemap link? 

In your footer. That’s where visitors and Google expect to find it.

Does having a sitemap improve SEO? 

Indirectly. It helps search engines find and index your pages faster, which can improve rankings.

How often should I update it? 

Quarterly, or any time you add/remove a major section of your site.

Can I build a sitemap without technical skills? 

Yes. Most CMS platforms have auto-generating sitemap plugins.