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Simple Sitemap – Create a Responsive HTML Sitemap

By David Gwyer

Site Structure & Navigation / Sitemaps & Site Structure

Simple Sitemap – Create a Responsive HTML Sitemap Review - In-Depth Analysis

Create a HTML sitemap and preview directly inside the editor. Boost the SEO performance of your WordPress site without complicated shortcodes.

Performance Overview

WPS Score

7.15/10

User Rating

3.9/5 (based on 72+ reviews)

Active Installations

60,000+

Update Frequency

Outstanding It is calculated using the weighted average of same category plugins.

Security Score

5 / 10 (Medium Risk) It is calculated using the weighted average of all versions.

What It Does

The most popular HTML sitemap available for WordPress just got even simpler to use. You can now build and preview your sitemap visually directly in the post editor!

There is no need to use confusing and complicated shortcodes anymore. Constant swapping back and forth between the editor and front end is a thing of the past.

Simple Sitemap helps improve your SEO ranking by automatically generating an HTML sitemap of your content. Add a full sitemap literally in seconds. No coding or setup required. Works straight out of the box and includes plenty of flexible customization options.

The latest version now also includes a responsive tabbed layout option that looks fantastic. We are super excited to share this with you.

Simple Sitemap is a well-established plugin and has been consistently developed and maintained for several years. It is currently used on over 75,000 websites.

The big news is that we have recently completely overhauled the plugin and added some great new features. Two dedicated editor blocks have been added that allow you to add and edit your sitemap directly inside the new WordPress editor codenamed Gutenberg. You no longer need to leave the editor to preview your sitemap like you do when using shortcodes.

Simply add a sitemap block to the editor and configure the sitemap settings in the block inspector panel to the right. Everything is managed visually and is very intuitive. If you thought the plugin was easy to use before just wait until you try out the new sitemap blocks!

We have added support for a fully tabbed layout in Simple Sitemap. While a lot of users are happy with displaying a sitemap in one long list, you can now optionally display each post type in a separate tab too.

The ordering of sitemap tabs can be controlled via the block inspector panel along with all the other sitemap settings. The tabs have been implemented via pure CSS and no JavaScript code is needed to render them. This means there is less to go wrong and the tabs load quicker.

Here is a breakdown of the features included with Simple Sitemap. Build sitemap visually. No Shortcodes needed! Preview sitemap directly in the editor. Choose from standard or tabbed layouts. Beautiful 100% CSS sitemap tabs. Display any number of posts or pages. List sitemap items in ascending or descending order. Sort by field. Optionally display post excerpt. Toggle post type label. Display individual sitemap items as text or links. Sitemap shortcodes available as an alternative to blocks. Plugin settings to manage parent page links. Intelligent script handling. Support for multiple sitemaps per page.

Simple Sitemap Pro has been designed for sitemaps that need more features and advanced configuration options. It contains more blocks, more shortcodes, and plenty of user interface controls for fine-grained control over exactly what is included in the sitemap and how it is rendered.

A big thank you to everyone who uses and supports this plugin. A lot of time and effort has been put into it over the years. Please consider rating the plugin if you find it useful. It only takes a moment but it is very much appreciated.

Comparing to Alternatives

Simple Sitemap offers a straightforward way to create responsive HTML sitemaps, but it faces competition from several similar plugins with varying features.

Top alternatives

Strengths

Easy to set up and use for basic sitemap needs
Responsive design ensures compatibility with various devices
Supports creation of HTML sitemaps without complex configuration

Weaknesses

Exclude feature is locked behind premium version
Recent updates have caused compatibility issues with WordPress editor
Limited advanced customization compared to some alternatives

User Sentiment Analysis

User feedback highlights a mix of appreciation for simplicity and frustration over recent issues and premium feature restrictions.

Positive highlights

"Best sitemap for WordPress" - pyupi
"Easy to use and effective for basic sitemap needs" - general consensus
"Responsive sitemap design works well across devices" - multiple users

Common complaints

Exclude feature now premium-only, limiting free version utility
Plugin causes WordPress editor to crash after recent update
Lack of warning about premium features in free version
Developer unresponsive to support requests

Weaknesses

Compatibility issues with WordPress versions 6.7 and higher
Free version functionality is limited without premium upgrade

Who Should Use This?

Best for

Users seeking a simple, responsive HTML sitemap solution without needing advanced customization or extensive features.

Not ideal for

Those who require full control over sitemap exclusions or rely on the latest WordPress block editor, as recent updates may cause conflicts.

Pricing & Value

Free version includes

Basic sitemap generation with responsive design but lacks exclusion features and advanced customization.

Pro version (39 - 99 USD / year)

Adds exclusion options, advanced customization, and priority support to enhance sitemap control and usability.

Final Verdict

Simple Sitemap is a user-friendly plugin suitable for basic sitemap needs, offering responsive design and easy setup.

However, recent updates have introduced compatibility issues and locked key features behind a premium paywall, which may limit its usefulness for some users.