how can i use the google Sitemap tool to create and submit my sitemap xml file to the google search engine?

Answer by: George Kaloyanov, Aplus.Net Knowledge Base Support.

The Google Sitemap allows webmasters to inform search engines about URLs on their website that are available for crawling. The Google Sitemap is actually an XML file that lists the URLs for a site using the Google Sitemap Protocol. Note that the Sitemap Protocol is only a supplement and does not replace the existing crawl-based mechanisms that search engines use to discover URLs. By submitting a Sitemap to a search engine, you are only helping that engine’s crawlers to do a better job of indexing your site.

Important: Using this protocol does not guarantee that your web pages will be included in search indexes nor does it influence the way your pages are ranked by a search engine.

The Google Sitemap tool is included with the following Shared-hosting plans:

Here is how to use the Google Sitemap tool to generate and submit your Sitemap page:

Important: You will need a Google Account to submit your Sitemap XML file to the Google Search Engine. If you do not have Google Account, you create one here: https://www.google.com/accounts/NewAccount

1. Start by logging into the Control Panel at http://cp.aplus.net using your Registration Number and Customer Password.
2. Select Web Hosting from the top navigation bar.
3. Next, select Hosted Domains and click on Manage Hosted Domains.
4. Now select the hosted domain that you’d like to manage.
5. Click on the Marketing tab.
6. Click the Google Sitemap icon.
7. Click the Generate button to initiate generation process.

Note: The Google Sitemap generation is a time consuming process. Wait few minutes before proceeding to step 8.

8. Click the Refresh button to check if the generation of your Sitemap Page is completed on the server.

Note: Proceed to step 9 once the "Status" field states Done instead of Processing.

9. Click Submit. You will be redirected to the submit dialog page.
10. Enter your Google User and Google Password.
11. Click the Submit button to send your Google Sitemap XML file to the Google Search Engine.
12. You will see a confirmation message upon successful submission. Click Close to return to the Google Sitemap tool.
13. If you have already generated a sitemap for the Joomla CMS, Wordpress Blog or the Advanced Blog, you can submit them to Google from the External Sitemaps section. Click the respective Submit buttons and enter your Google User and Google Password.

Note: You can now login into your Google Account to see and manage your Google Sitemap at:

• https://www.google.com/webmasters/sitemaps/login

Related links:

• What is a Sitemap?
• What is a Google Sitemap?
• What is the difference between the Google Sitemap and the Sitemap Builder tools?
• How can I use the Sitemap Builder tool to create and publish a Sitemap HTML page to my website?
• I have updated the structure of my website. How can I rebuild and resubmit my Google Sitemap?
• I have updated the structure of my website. How can I rebuild and republish my Sitemap HTML page?