How to create and submit an XML sitemap for PrestaShop?

@harrison.goodwin 

Creating and submitting an XML sitemap for a PrestaShop store is important for improving your site's SEO and ensuring that search engines can easily crawl and index your product pages. Here are the steps you can follow to create and submit an XML sitemap for PrestaShop:

Step 1: Install a Sitemap Module

To create an XML sitemap, you first need to have a sitemap module installed in your PrestaShop store. There are several modules available, both free and paid. One popular free module is the "Google Sitemap" module, which is often included by default with PrestaShop installations.

1. Access the PrestaShop Back Office: Log in to your PrestaShop admin panel.
2. Navigate to Module Manager: Go to the “Modules” section and select “Module Manager.”
3. Search for Sitemap Module: Use the search bar to find the "Google Sitemap" module.
4. Install the Module: If it’s not already installed, click on “Install” to add it to your store.

Step 2: Configure the Sitemap Module

Once the module is installed, you have to configure it to generate your sitemap.

1. Locate the Module: In the Module Manager, find the “Google Sitemap” module.
2. Configure the Module: Click on the "Configure" button to set up the various options.
3. Set Preferences: You can customize the types of pages to include in your sitemap, such as products, categories, CMS pages, etc. Set the frequency of updates and the priority for the different types of content.
4. Generate the Sitemap: After configuring the options, generate the sitemap by clicking on the “Generate Sitemap” button. The module will create an XML file.

Step 3: Submit the Sitemap to Search Engines

After generating your sitemap, it's crucial to submit it to search engines to enhance your site's visibility.

Submitting to Google:

1. Google Search Console: Log in to your Google Search Console account. If you haven't already added your site, do so by entering your domain and verifying ownership.
2. Sitemaps Section: In the left-hand menu, find and click on “Sitemaps.”
3. Enter Sitemap URL: Enter the URL of your sitemap, typically something like http://yourstore.com/1_index_sitemap.xml. This URL may vary based on your sitemap settings.
4. Submit: Click the “Submit” button to send your sitemap to Google for indexing.

Submitting to Bing:

1. Bing Webmaster Tools: Log in to Bing Webmaster Tools. Add your website and verify ownership if you haven't done so.
2. Sitemaps Section: In the dashboard, locate the “Sitemaps” section.
3. Submit Sitemap URL: Enter the same sitemap URL you used for Google.
4. Submit: Click the “Submit” button to notify Bing of your sitemap.

Additional Tips

• Regular Updates: Ensure that your sitemap is set to update regularly, especially if you add products or make changes often.
• Monitor Indexing: Use both Google Search Console and Bing Webmaster Tools to monitor the indexing status of your pages.
• Check for Errors: Regularly check your sitemap for errors or broken links to ensure search engines can properly crawl your site.

By following these steps, you can effectively generate and submit an XML sitemap for your PrestaShop store, helping to improve its visibility and indexing in search engines.