The Messy Sitemap (and Other SEO Problems You Need to Fix)

Let’s get real for a minute: If you’ve never given your website’s sitemap a second thought, you’re not alone—but it’s probably killing your SEO.

The number one technical SEO issue we see when we onboard new clients? Their sitemap is a total disaster. Here’s how to fix it—and why it matters:

Step 1: Clean House

Before you even think about your sitemap, you’ve got to get your website in order. That means:

• Remove old or irrelevant pages

• Redirect any 404 links or deleted pages to relevant, useful content

• Update title tags, descriptions, and URLs to include relevant keywords (relevant is doing the heavy lifting here—Google isn’t stupid)

Step 2: Fix the Sitemap

Once your site is cleaned up, check your sitemap to make sure it matches your updates. It should be a clean, accurate list of the pages you want search engines to find—no more, no less.

Step 3: Submit It and Chill (Kinda)

Submit your sitemap to Google Search Console, Bing Webmaster Tools, and any other relevant search engines. Then, breathe.

Will your SEO transform overnight? Almost. The truth is, SEO is a slow burn, but cleaning up your sitemap and following these steps will get you closer to that coveted front page faster than you think.

Bonus Tip: Don’t DIY If You’re Not Into It

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, find a good SEO plugin (we love RankMath). For those with a little budget to spare, hire someone local who knows their stuff—an SEO consultant or agency that can help you out for a few hours a month. It’s worth the investment.

SEO can feel like a beast, but a clean, well-organized sitemap is one of the simplest ways to make a big impact. Start there, and you’re ahead of the game.