Google Error on Sitemap 
Author: Steve N.
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Just a quick one - how can I change this:
I did a search and fouond a post on "sitemap" but didn't really understand it and it was SOLVED, so I made this one.
Cheers,
Steve
Posted on the
Author
Ok - So after fishing around, I found this:
So I searched Google to find out what is supposed to be used - it said XML - which is not an option...
Sigh...
Website x5 make 2 Files sitemap .
1. imsitemap.html for to Display one the Website
2. sitemap.xml for Google (Setting: 1. General Settings - Expert - "Sitemap-automatic.."
JJ
Author
Hi JJ,
So why am I getting an error if there is a sitemap.xml?
For Google give the sitemap.xml not the html. The html are not for the Google Webmastertools, this give an error.
Please give more Information for the error.
JJ
Author
Google says my site is a HTML file which is no accepted. I can't see a way in X5 to change it to XML and I have no coding skills, which is why I bought this software...
Hi Steve,
You shouldn't need to change anything to XML as such... it's more likely that Google just doesn't know about your sitemap as yet.
To rectify this just ensure that you have a tick in the checkbox marked 'Automatically create a SiteMap' in Step 1 - General Settings - Expert Tab
If that checkbox has not been ticked up till now then you'll have to do a full website reupload to your server. This will create a file called 'sitemap.xml' which will be located at http://www.yourdomainname.com/sitemap.xml - visit this link in your browser to ensure it exists before proceeding further. (NB: you have a file at this location at present but it contains errors... delete this one from your server and allow Website X5 to create a new one)
Then follow the steps in the Google article below to make Google aware of your new 'sitemap.xml' file:
http://support.google.com/webmasters/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=183669
Kind regards,
Paul
Author
Hi Paul,
Sitemap thingy was checked ;)
I do have a link at the nottome of my page "Sitemap" which appears to work, but takes me to a .html extension, which is what Google doesn't like.
I have Cpanel, but last time I made an edit, it stuffed everything up.
I just logged in and searched on "sitemap" and it returned 250 results!
This is the specific file which has errors:
http://www.seebettersystems.com.au/sitemap.xml
If you don't want to use cPanel to delete this file, then you can use the 'Delete' button on the toolbar menu in Step 5 - Website Export to Internet - you'll then need to reupload your site to create a new sitemap.xml file.
Your sitemap page at http://www.seebettersystems.com.au/imsitemap.html is for the benefit of visitors to your website only, and doesn't have any relevance to your problem.
Hello Steve,
It seems that the file name of following page is causing the issue:
windscreen repair just $65! - we come to you! - stone or rock chip &crack repair plus headlight repair in gosford central coast nsw 6.html
You can use this name for the Title but you need to change the file name in step 2 page properties. It is better to have file names without space and without characters that could not been supported like $ and &.
Many thanks!
Author
Hi,
None of them are called that - I just checked? Are you looking at a cached site version?
Plus ALL my pages are called:
Windscreen Repair Just $65! - We Come To You! - Stone / Rock Chip & Crack Repair PLUS Headlight Repair In Gosford Central Coast NSW
The same?
Your url: windscreen repair just $65! - we come to you! - stone or rock chip &crack repair plus headlight repair in gosford central coast nsw 6.html
Author
Ro - you are looking at something else, something cached. I'm looking right now, and there are no files called that?
What page did you click on to return that result?
Thanks!
Author
Hold on - it's the format of the sitemap that Google is rejecting, not a specific page anyway?
"Sitemap is HTMLYour Sitemap appears to be an HTML page. Please use a supported sitemap format instead."
It doesn't specify that a "page" is wrong, or indicate that?
The pic below shows that the "circles" are errors due to the sitemap format being HTML = how do I change it?
because was changed.
use /sitemap.xml (http://www.seebettersystems.com.au/sitemap.xml)
As per my instructions in post 7 above...
Then follow the steps in the Google article below to make Google aware of your new 'sitemap.xml' file:
http://support.google.com/webmasters/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=183669
Kind regards,
Paul
Author
Hi Paul,
I followed your directions to the letter mate and got this:
"This XML file does not appear to have any style information associated with it. The document tree is shown below."
Your XML sitemap is fine now... there are no longer any errors showing. You can submit it to Google using the instructions on this page:
http://support.google.com/webmasters/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=183669
You'll need to sign up for a free account with Google Webmaster Tools first.
Kind regards,
Paul
Author
Hi Paul,
I managed to delete the old one, so now I've re-submit the new one - here's hoping!
Thanks for your support guys ;)
Now, if I can get my site "mobile" friendly - I'll be a verry happy camper...