How to Create a Sitemap in Dreamweaver

A sitemap is a file that lists all of your Web page addresses along with other information, such as how often your site is updated. This detailed document is placed on your Web host directory so that search engines, such as Yahoo and Google, can conveniently access this data to add your content to their index, which enables visitors to find you easier. With your Adobe Dreamweaver application, you can install an extra feature (extension) to automatically generate this file.

Instructions

1. Launch your Dreamweaver application, select "Dreamweaver Exchange" from the "Help" drop-down menu, and then click the "Dreamweaver" link. The "Dreamweaver Exchange" page contains extensions, such as sitemap generators, that you can add to your copy of Dreamweaver.

2. Type "sitemap" in the "Search the Exchange" text field to see a listing of sitemap tools. As you scroll through the list, read the descriptions to get cost information (if applicable), look at the user ratings and find offerings that are available for your computer operating system.

3. Click the "Download" or "Buy" option next to your chosen extension and then sign in to the Adobe.com page that automatically appears. Continue by following any purchase prompts, read the download license and then click the "Accept" button if you agree.

4. Click the downloaded sitemap extension package (MXP) on your desktop, follow the Adobe Extension Manager prompts to install the extension on your Dreamweaver application and then restart your program so that the extension is successfully installed.

5. Create your sitemap by using the extension's method of doing this. For example, if you are using the "Google Sitemap Generator," select the "Generate Google Sitemap" option under the "Commands" drop-down menu, fill in the requested prompts and click the "Generate" button. Alternately, if working with the "sitemap everyday" tool, open your "index" file page in Dreamweaver and use the buttons at the top of the workspace to create the settings for your sitemap data.

6. Locate the "sitemap.xml" file in your "Files" window and then place it on your Web host in the same directory that you house your other website files.

Tips & Warnings

• If you do not see your sitemap extension in Dreamweaver, restart your application and check again.

• You can delete any unwanted sitemap extensions by clicking the "Manage Extensions" option under the "Command" menu, highlight the title and then click the "Remove" button at the top of the "Adobe Extension Manager" dialog window.

References

• sitemaps.org: What are Sitemaps?
• Adobe Exchange Help: What is an extension package?
• Adobe Exchange Help: How do I download an extension?

Resources

• Adobe: Dreamweaver Exchange
• Adobe Forums: Dreamweaver Extensions