18 replies to this topic

[Akuta]

I'm SEOing a store website and I'm coming to a bit of a problem with internal linking. Almost every page has a navigation with all the products, but the strongest point about those products is the same (for example w/ "black" being the strong point -> black animals: cats, dogs, giraffes), so I can't simply add it in front of every product link like I want to (example -> animals: black cats, black dogs, black giraffes and so on) or it would look ridiculous to users....

Each product page is optimized highly for all the keywords, but isn't it important to somehow get this "same" keyword in the internal linking (without it the competition is too fierce, plus it's a strong, specialized type). I realize linking isn't everything, but if there's anyway to help this situation or go about it a different way, I'd love to know.

Ty for all the help.

[Jill]

You have to go with your gut on this one. If you feel it degrades the page for the users, then don't do it. If it makes sense to them, however, then go for it.

[Scottie]

Try using image links instead of text links so that you get the "credit" without looking stupid.

[Dooffoot]

I don't think internal linking is that important anymore so I would go with what looks good and that generally isn't spraying your page with the same keyword repeatedly.

[Jill]

I don't think internal linking is that important anymore

Then your thinking would be off, because it's actually one of the most important things, from what I can tell.

[incrediblehelp]

Then your thinking would be off, because it's actually one of the most important things, from what I can tell.

Agreed I am seeing internal linking being VERY important right now.

[Akuta]

Ok, thanks a ton, all -- Scottie, great link btw, thankyou. It's tough to do this with dynamic pages, though. I'd have to code each product to have an img and an alt JUST for the lists (although possible on my test site, this would be tough on most folks massively crap-coded e-commerce packages).

Do you also think it hurts relevancy to have the product links on every page? I'm just getting into siloing a little (I'm a bit confused right now, but getting my head around it) and this seems to be somewhat of an issue. There is only one category, so they're all landing pages... basically.

Edited by Skew, 16 January 2007 - 07:27 PM.

[piskie]

I've just completed a php site with the database worked out from the start to incorporate a set of fields for each product that can be pulled in to assemble Title, H1, H2 and descriptive text etc plus image upload and rename to product relevant a file name pulled from the database. Plus image linking and other SEO product specific variables.

As a retrofit it is totally impractical just as it is with off the shelf Ecom packages. But build it yourself, and start with the database fields and work out from there makes it easier than it first appears because we would normally be looking at it from a built or part built site by which time it is far too late.

[JamesDean]

You really need to give this some serious thought! Internal linking is really important to the users navigation and the engines

[angel_face]

Internal linking is very important. Because site infrastructure building is
a part of On - Page Optimization Process...

[Scottie]

Ok, thanks a ton, all -- Scottie, great link btw, thankyou. It's tough to do this with dynamic pages, though. I'd have to code each product to have an img and an alt JUST for the lists (although possible on my test site, this would be tough on most folks massively crap-coded e-commerce packages).

Do you also think it hurts relevancy to have the product links on every page? I'm just getting into siloing a little (I'm a bit confused right now, but getting my head around it) and this seems to be somewhat of an issue. There is only one category, so they're all landing pages... basically.

You can still use images in a CMS or other dynamic page system- it just takes a little more coding. I think it's worth doing or having someone do for you.

We have a great thread around here from Grumpus (former admin at Cre8asite forums) on Forum Structure and Internal Linking that takes a little while to read, but has some great insights to how structuring your internal linking properly can help focus the SE's on your most important pages.

[synergy]

Correct Jill, angle_face, JD and Incrediblehelp

Internal linking is important to both Yahoo and Google. But what a lot of people overlook about internal links is that Google and Yahoo only like to see a "flat file" internal linking structure and that's a fact.

[qwerty]

Welcome, synergy

That's a fact based on what? They've decided to ignore all hub-based sites?

[torka]

Damn, I guess if I want to retain all the #1 rankings we've got and our "SiteLinks" listings in Google I'd better get rid of our hierarchical site structure before Google and Yahoo catch on...

--Torka

[synergy]

Qwerty,

The fact is based on long time research and most important their guidelines.

Torka,

Not saying hierarchical site structure is bad.... Google and Yahoo like it better when looking at your site graphically
your site should link across not down.