23 replies to this topic

[josh1r]

I wanted to confirm that it doesn't matter (for SEO or ranking purposes) what the actual URL of a page is.

For example, if I'm selling different types of widgets, does it matter if my page about the size 10 blue widget is:

www.mysite.com/product123.htm

or

www.mysite.com/blue-widget-size-10.htm

Will they both rank the same all else being equal?

If i'm correct in understanding that it doesn't matter for seo/ranking purposes, does anyone have any opinions on whether it matters for usability/conversion?

Has anyone noticed that they sell more 'stuff' when their URLs contain the product, vs. just a bunch of code? Personally i always think it's 'cool' when i see a site that rewrites it's URLs to contain the product, but I don't ever remember it affecting my purchasing decision.

Thanks!

-- Josh

[BrowsingJunkie]

i'd like to know about this too. other than the fact that it's what the cool kids do

[Randy]

The only difference for SEO purposes is if people happen to link to your /blue-widget-size-10.htm by using the actual URL as the anchor text, instead of using normal text. That doesn't happen often, only when webmasters are lazy for the most part, so isn't worth the effort.

As far as increasing or decreasing sales, that's open for debate. If it's not over done I could care less as a potential purchaser. Either works.

On the other hand, if the URL is something like www.domain.com/blue/widgets/blue-widgets/blue-widgets-size-10.htm, which I see far too much of, I'm going to run away as fast as I can and buy from a competitor.

Of course I know I'm biased, so a lot of the answer may depend upon what you're selling, who your target audience is and how sophisticated the users are. I must mention though that I have trouble envisioning anyone buying a high dollar ($5,000+) item from a site using such a wonky url. It's okay up to a point, but then it begins to have an odor of unprofessionalism.

[BrowsingJunkie]

then why does google tell us to use dashes when naming files instead of underscores. seems like they do look at filenames?

[Randy]

Underscores are treated as underscores. Dashes/Hyphens are treated as spaces.

So when they turn the anchor text of a URL-only link into real text underscores would end up being a single nonsense word like blue_widgets_size_10 and the dashed version would end up being what you're looking for.

[josh1r]

Thanks Randy!

[projectphp]

then why does google tell us to use dashes when naming files instead of underscores. seems like they do look at filenames?

First, Google is telling noone any such thing! That is how rumours start

Second, so what? Ppl think that a URL naming procedure will get them the keys to a Ferrari, which is pure balderdash!

If you started a site from scratch, a URL structure is a good issue to play with. Personally, I like to see www.randomcomputerstore.com/laptops/sony/viao-2-4-gz.htm, but if the cost of having URLs like that it is > loose change, there are better places to spend one's money and resources, and it should never hold up a project.

If, on the other hand, you have a site already, the "Ideal URL" isn't even an issue as important as the cost / return / benefit equation. It may be ideal for me to have a six-pack and be ultra fit, but really, I got other things to do and it isn't a priority for me (I bet that comment comes back to haunt me!!) This issue is, IMHO, binary: can be crawled || can't be crawled. If URLs can be crawled, then leave them. If not, change them. Otherwise, move on.

So, just buy my new eBook, Dr Strange URLS or How I learned to stop worrying and love query strings (apologies to Kubrick) and experience the Nirvana that comes with relaxing and getting on with more important issues!

[torka]

BrowsingJunkie, are you talking about what we discussed in this thread?

That's Matt Cutts talking -- not the same as Google itself saying we need to use dashes.

There are actually several reasons to use dashes and not to use underscores.

In addition to the ones already mentioned: from a usability standpint, underscores "disappear" when a URL is underlined (which is the default display of a link). They look essentially the same as spaces. If someone creates a link to your page using the URL, and the URL contains underscores, and their link display is underlined, those underscores will be invisible.

This means that if someone looking at that link is trying to type in your URL for some reason, they may accidentally type spaces instead of underscores. (And yes, there are other easier ways for them to get that URL via cut-paste rather than retyping it, but there are folks out there who will go to Google and search for Google.com, so don't discount any possibility...)

Dashes, on the other hand, are visible even when the link is underlined. Less chance of mistakes being made.

--Torka

Edited by torka, 09 September 2005 - 08:23 AM.

[chompy]

also regarding URLs, what can you guys say about the use of small or capital letters in the URL?

we have to put pronouns in the URL, and are a bit confused if we should stick to all small letters, or keep the capital letter in the first letter of the pronoun. currently, it doesn't matter if the user uses small letters or caps in the URL when going to a specific page in our site, coz it will still go to the same page.

the thing is, Google indexed both the URLs containing the all small letters url, and the other URL with capital letters.

any thoughts?

i'm not sure if there is already a thread on this, would really appreciate it if you could direct me there.

thanks!

[qwerty]

Unless you're on a Windows server, your URLs are case-sensitive. That means that if your page is www.domain.com/TheNameOfMyPage.html and someone send their friends in email recommending that they all go check out www.domain.com/thenameofmypage.html, all those people are going to get a 404 error.

[redsonia!]

Welcome, Chompy!

[chompy]

Unless you're on a Windows server, your URLs are case-sensitive. That means that if your page is www.domain.com/TheNameOfMyPage.html and someone send their friends in email recommending that they all go check out www.domain.com/thenameofmypage.html, all those people are going to get a 404 error.

with our site, both URLs would land on the same page, rather would show the same content. i've checked in Google and they have indexed both the pages, with the other being a supplementary result.

Welcome, Chompy! 

thanks for the welcome! i have been browsing through most of the topics here long before but have just recently decided to join in the fun discussions so I signed up.

[therichbrooks]

Recently Wayne Hurlbert--who writes about SEO and blogs--wrote an article that seemed to imply that domain names are helpful for SEO. www.webpronews.com/insidesearch/insidesearch/wpn-56-20050911SEOtipsforblogshostedonBlogger.html

Is it the opinion of the moderators here that domain names and URL's have little to no bearing on SE ranking, all other things being equal? I've seen adamant arguments on both sides.

Thanks in advance for your response.

[Randy]

I didn't read the entire article, so take this for what it's worth.

Does having a blog that is on it's own domain rather than on something like blogger.com give you an advantage?

Not on the SEO side of things, because you can get direct links to either. Having your own domain for your blog is the only way to create a good brand however. And that's enough for me.

Does having your keyword terms in your domain make a difference?

Not enough to make up for the loss of branding. The only time this makes a significant difference is when people link to your site using only the URL, rather than normal anchor text. Which is the exception, not the rule when I link to someone's site.

Bottom line: There are good reasons to have your own domain and good reasons for why you choose the domain name you choose. SEO is not one of those good reasons.

[Tom Philo]

Unless you're on a Windows server, your URLs are case-sensitive. That means that if your page is www.domain.com/TheNameOfMyPage.html and someone send their friends in email recommending that they all go check out www.domain.com/thenameofmypage.html, all those people are going to get a 404 error.

on *NIX boxes there is a global command that will switch case sensitive from default ON to OFF so that a *NIX box acts like a Windows box when it comes to all file names.

Eliminates that problem of people typing in the wrong case of a URL.