If you're a solo or small firm lawyer posting blogs or new pages but not seeing them on Google for weeks, you probably just need to submit your sitemap to Google.
A sitemap.xml or sitemap_index.xml file tells Google which pages you want to show up in search results. It is a table of contents for your website, used by search engines. Without it, Google can still find your pages, but it may take a long time. This is especially for smaller sites. The good news is, setting one up takes about an hour and can make a big difference for your SEO efforts.
Sitemaps by Website Builder
Each major website platform handles sitemaps a little differently:
| Platform | Sitemap Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| WordPress | yourfirm.com/sitemap.xml or /sitemap_index.xml | Generated automatically by SEO plugins like Yoast or Rank Math. |
| Wix | yourfirm.com/sitemap.xml | Auto-generated for all sites, no setup needed. |
| Squarespace | yourfirm.com/sitemap.xml | Created automatically and updates when you add new content. |
| Clio Grow | yourfirm.com/sitemap.xml (if using their website builder) | Check site settings or contact support for your sitemap URL. |
Why a Sitemap Matters
Sone law firms will post great content but never tell Google it's there. That means posts sit unpublished in the eyes of search engines, which wastes your time and effort.
A working sitemap helps Google find every page, and even new ones you publish later. It's quick to set up and most website builders already handle this for you.
How to Check and Add a Sitemap:
1. (Easy) See if you already have a sitemap
Open your browser and type:
yourfirm.com/sitemap.xml
or
yourfirm.com/sitemap_index.xml
If you see a list of links or URLs, congratulations — your site already has a sitemap.
2. If it's missing, generate one
- On WordPress, install a free SEO plugin like Yoast or Rank Math. These automatically generate sitemaps for you.
- For other websites, you can use a free tool online called "XML sitemap generator." Just enter your homepage URL and download the file.
3. Upload the sitemap to your website
Place it in your main folder so it's accessible at:
yourfirm.com/sitemap.xml
4. Tell Google about it
- Go to Google Search Console.
- Add your website (called a "property").
- If you have not already, verify your domain with the TXT or HTML methods they give you.
- Click "Sitemaps" on the left menu, enter "sitemap.xml," and hit Submit.
- Google will start indexing your pages using that file and show your progress over time.
Once that's done, it should be good on autopilot. Most SEO plugins automatically keep your sitemap updated when you add new pages or posts.
Why This Helps Solo Attorneys
Most solos don't have a full marketing team. Every piece of content you write should count. A working sitemap gives smaller sites a faster path into Google's search results. It's one of the easiest SEO wins you can set up in under an hour.
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