At Doobert, we know that running a rescue or shelter already keeps you busy — tech stuff shouldn’t slow you down. That’s why we’ve put together this simple guide to help you find your website’s sitemap without needing advanced technical skills. This will help the Chatbot learn from your site so it can answer questions in your organization’s voice.
What Is a Sitemap?
A sitemap is basically an outline of your website. Think of it as a roadmap of your website. It tells search engines (like Google) what pages exist on your site, making it easier for people to find your animals, programs, and services online.
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It lists your pages, blog posts, images, or videos.
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It usually comes in XML format (a type of code that search engines read).
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It can also exist in other formats like RSS, Atom, TXT, or even HTML.
Here’s a simple example of what a sitemap file might look like: www.YourWebsite.com/sitemap.xml
Why Should Your Organization Care?
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Check if you have one: Not all websites automatically create sitemaps. Knowing if yours exists is the first step.
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See if it’s working: If your sitemap is broken or missing pages, search engines might miss important content (like your “Adoptable Pets” page).
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Help with SEO: Submitting your sitemap to search engines can help your pages appear in search results faster.
Easy Ways to Find Your Sitemap
1. Check Common Sitemap Locations
The easiest way is to try typing a few standard links into your browser. Just replace “YourWebsite” with your actual domain:
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www.YourWebsite.com/sitemap.xml -
www.YourWebsite.com/sitemap_index.xml -
www.YourWebsite.com/sitemap-index.xml -
www.YourWebsite.com/sitemap.txt -
www.YourWebsite.com/atom.xml -
www.YourWebsite.com/rss.xml
If you land on a page that looks like a list of links in code format, you’ve found it!
2. Check Your Robots.txt File
Most websites also have a file called robots.txt. This is where search engines are told what to crawl (and what to ignore). Many times, it includes a direct link to the sitemap.
To check yours, type this into your browser: www.YourWebsite.com/robots.txt
If you see something like this inside:
That’s your sitemap link!
3. Use Google Search Console
If you (or whoever manages your website) already use Google Search Console, your sitemap may already be submitted there.
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Log in at Google Search Console.
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Select your website.
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In the left menu, click “Sitemaps.”
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If it’s already submitted, you’ll see the link and details.
If your organization isn’t using Search Console yet, we highly recommend setting it up—it’s free and gives powerful insights into how people find your site.
4. Use Bing Webmaster Tools
Just like Google Search Console, Bing has its own tool.
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Log in at Bing Webmaster Tools.
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Go to “Sitemaps.”
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You’ll see if one has already been submitted.
5. Use Google Search Operators
If the above steps don’t work, you can try searching Google directly using a special search command.
In Google’s search bar, type: site:YourWebsite.com filetype:xml inurl:sitemap
If Google has indexed your sitemap, it will show up in the results.
6. Use an Online Tool
There are free online tools that can help locate your sitemap. One example is SEO Site Checkup. Just type in your website, and it will scan for common sitemap locations.
7. Check Your CMS (Website Builder)
Depending on which platform your site is built on, your sitemap may be automatically generated. Here’s where to look:
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WordPress →
www.YourWebsite.com/wp-sitemap.xml -
Wix, Shopify, Squarespace, Joomla, Magento →
www.YourWebsite.com/sitemap.xml
If you use WordPress with a plugin (like Yoast SEO or Rank Math), you may need to check the plugin’s settings to find the exact location.
What If You Don’t Have a Sitemap?
That’s okay! Not all websites require one, especially small sites with only a few pages.
But if you want to create one, here are simple options:
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WordPress plugins (Yoast SEO, Rank Math, Google XML Sitemaps).
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Your CMS settings (Wix, Shopify, Squarespace, etc. usually create them automatically).
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Online sitemap generators if you prefer a quick, manual solution.
Final Thoughts
Your sitemap may feel like a small detail, but it’s a powerful tool for making sure your website gets seen. By following the steps above, your rescue or shelter can find (or create) a sitemap without needing a technical background.
The easier it is for search engines to find your website, the easier it is for pet lovers, adopters, and volunteers to find you.
