Sitemap

Sitemap (sitemap.xml)

StarterKitPro utilizes Next.js's built-in support for generating a dynamic sitemap.xml file.

Automatic Generation

The sitemap is generated automatically every time you build your application (e.g., during deployment). It intelligently includes:

• Static Routes: All your standard pages defined in the app directory (like /, /blog, etc.).
• Dynamic Routes: If you are using features like the Blog or Documentation, the sitemap generator (located at app/sitemap.ts) is pre-configured to fetch and include URLs for all your published blog posts and documentation pages automatically. These content-rich sections are particularly important for SEO and discoverability.

This ensures that search engines always have an up-to-date list of the indexable content on your site without manual intervention.

Customization

While the automatic generation covers most cases, you might occasionally need to add specific URLs or modify the existing logic.

• Add URLs: To add custom URLs, you can directly edit the app/sitemap.ts file. Locate the array where URLs are being compiled and add your new sitemap entry objects, following the existing format:

  {
    url: 'https://yourdomain.com/your-custom-page',
    lastModified: new Date(),
    changeFrequency: 'monthly', // optional
    priority: 0.8, // optional
  }

• Modify Logic: If you introduce new dynamic route structures, you might need to update the logic within app/sitemap.ts to fetch and format the URLs for those routes.

Why is a Sitemap Important?

A sitemap acts as a roadmap for search engines like Google, Bing, etc. It helps them:

• Discover Pages: Efficiently find all the important pages on your site, especially those that might not be easily reachable through standard crawling.
• Understand Structure: Get a better understanding of your site's hierarchy and organization.
• Index Content: Ensure that new or updated content (like new blog posts) gets indexed faster.

Submitting Your Sitemap

Once your site is deployed, the sitemap will be available at https://yourdomain.com/sitemap.xml.

It's highly recommended to submit this URL to search engine webmaster tools:

• Google Search Console: Add your site property, navigate to "Sitemaps", enter sitemap.xml, and click "Submit".
• Bing Webmaster Tools: Similar process; add your site and submit the sitemap.xml URL.

This helps search engines crawl and index your site more effectively.