Whats the best way to add a site map to blog

[rdv]

Hi there,

I wonder if anyone can help. I have seen on many of the blogs that 'more experienced' users of this forum have, and they all tend to include a site map within the 'links' across the top of the blog. How do you do this?

I know how to create the tabs in the first instance, but what I need to know, is there a 'plugin' that can be used to automate this, rather than enter the detail manually?

I know there is a built in 'Google Site Map' creator within the plugins, but can this be altered to be displayed, or is there another program out there that can be used?

I looked at the free plug in from 'DagonDesign' which says you can add a site map to any page, by inserting a certain code:
<?php echo ddsg_create_sitemap () ; ?>
...... but I cannot work out where to put that code to make it all work?
- Has anyone used this and got it working?
- If so can you assist?

I would appreciate any help re this, as I consider it good practice to include a site map, but it takes so long to create one manually.

Regards

Pete

[Robert]

A real site map is an xml file that is located at the root of the domain.

When it comes to a real site map, if you used the wordpress installer you will already have one.

The kind of site map you are talking about is a poor mans version. It effectively does the same thing but it will not be accepted as a site map by Google. It will be treated as a page full of links. It will help you get your pages indexed faster just like a real one but it is not the best way of doing.

There are a heap of plugin that will make them for you, and as I said it is already in your blog if you used the installer.

[rdv]

Thanks Robert for your reply.

Maybe I will just leave it to the plugin that is already with the blog when I set it up using the blog installer.

Regards

Pete

[Boris_yo]

Pete

For me there are two types of Sitemaps - one for search engines and one for humans.

Some people (at least me) find it easier to navigate through regular sitemap to find what they are looking for as it will display links with titles to all posts and static pages.

This is why i choose to use DagonDesign plugin and i like it.
When you go to plugin page, you will see it gives you specific code you must integrate into your post to make it work.

"Write a page" firsthand so you will be able to put plugin code inside it.
Try inserting it first using WYSIWYG editor, if doesn't work - insert it through source code of you post.

[rdv]

Hi Boris_yo

That's exactly what I want to do, but I cannot get it to work.

I have added the plugin
Activated it
Gone to the site and copied the code:
<?php echo ddsg_create_sitemap(); ?>

Created a page and called it 'Site Map'
inserted the code into the WP Page Content for this new page
Saved it
....and nothing

What am I doing wrong?
Can you help?

Regards
Pete

[Boris_yo]

<!-- ddsitemapgen -->

The above code is the one you must insert and NOT the <?php echo ddsg_create_sitemap(); ?>
Try again and make sure plugin resides in its own folder.

[rdv]

Hi Boris,

Thanks for your help.

Have done everything you suggested, but still not working.

Must be something that I am doing wrong here

Regards

Pete

[Boris_yo]

Make sure you:

1. Put plugin file in dd-sitemap-gen folder within /wp-content/plugins directory.
2. Activated and configured it in admin area
3. Created page and placed <!-- ddsitemapgen --> in html code (NOT in WYSIWYG editor)

If this won't work, than i am out of ideas.