|
Author: Christoph Puetz Article source: http://www.webhostingresourcekit.com/. Used with author's permission.
I recently invested quite some time into generating search engine friendly URLs for several of my websites to increase my ranking and to have more pages indexed. I can highly recommend to look into this if your own website does not have se-friendly URLs. Especially Google (the most important search engine nowadays) can be very picky in regards to URLs that are not se-friendly.
Example (the 2 URLs below bring you to exactly the same page):
http://www.beefkabobs.com/ShowCategory.php?CategoryID=13 -> this URL is not se-friendly and search engines will eventually ignore any page behind it or rank it much lower in search results. Visitors will have difficulties to remember this URL. These kind of URLs often come from dynamic database driven websites. Each page is dynamically created when requested. Look at the forums URL this moment, too. It is dynamically created and not very friendly to search engines or the visitor. You get the idea.
http://www.beefkabobs.com/kabob-recipe-category-13.html -> this URL is se-friendly and search engines will spider the page behind it easily. It is keyword enriched to increase search engine ranking. Overall - this URL is easy to be spidered and easy to remember by a visitor.
For one of my own sites I was able to increase the number of pages indexed from 36 to over 150 pages - just by making the URLs search engine friendly. The additional pages were ignored by the search engines because they could not read the URLs properly. The domain used in my example went from 20 pages to 80 within 2 weeks and should go to over 120 pages indexed (by Google) with the next Google update.
How do you make your URLs search engine friendly?
Your web host/web server needs to support the Apache Web Server module "mod_rewrite". This module allows to rewrite URLs a certain way. By using a ".htaccess" file you can give the web server the necessary commands to work with se-friendly URLs.
How does this now really works?
In general - you are faking the nice clean looking URLs and fool search engines and visitors to believe that the URLs of your website are se-friendly.
SE-friendly URLs work in 2 steps. 1) Your site needs to display the se-friendly URLs. 2) mod_rewrite and htaccess 'translate' the se-friendly URL and redirect the traffic to the ugly looking se-unfriendly URL in the background (invisible to anyone). You will need to setup the htaccess file with the command how you would like the URL to look like and what does it translate to (a certain ugly looking dynamic URL).
The code that generates the URLs dynamically needs to be adjusted to match the rules from your .htaccess file. You upload the code changes and the htaccess and off you go.
Can every website be modified?
Most websites with dynamic URLs can be modified if the server environment meets the requirements. Each website needs to be looked at separately to get the best results.
The learning curve on creating se-friendly URLs can be quite challenging. Spend the time and resources on creating se-friendly URLs. The results can be overwhelming. About The Author
Christoph Puetz is a successful small business owner (Net Services USA LLC) and international author.
The website used as an example can be found at http://www.beefkabobs.com. A second example can be found at http://www.vitaminsinstock.com
This article can be reprinted as long as the author information and resource box stays intact. All URLs/Links must be clickable and active.
Goodwill is an Intangible Asset
'Goodwill' is regarded as an intangible asset in a business. Goodwill carries a value over and above the tangible assets of a business, and representing all ben...
The Easy Payday Loan - Why Payday Loans Are Easier To Get Than Credit Cards or Personal Loans
Here are some of the reasons why payday loans are so convenient compared to getting a credit card.
Titanium Wedding Ring For Men
Titanium is another good choice of metal for wedding ring shoppers who are looking for something to last. Quite stronger than steel, this metal is so durable th...
Be Nice to Your Payroll Department
Ok, so next to the taxman, your company payroll department might well be the most criticised people on the planet. Of course, when your pay is accurate and on t...
Commercial Real Estate Industry - Is the Condo Craze Over, or Just Gaining Steam
Over the last two years there has been so much condo activity that many commercial real estate lenders are starting to express concern over the future stability...
Going Back To Get Ahead
This is a short story about a very recent experience at the Tampa International Airport. The experience relates perfectly to professional salespeople who might ...
Can You Compete?
Are you looking to hire the best talent? Are you thinking about adding a new employee who will significantly impact millions of dollars in YOUR business? Do you...
Career Change Advice
Are you struggling in your current job? Have you looked for career change advice in all the traditional places - career counselors, business magazines, trade jo...
Cook Up Something Special: How To Create A WOW Experience For Your Clients
Create an incredible experience for
your clients that will keep them
coming back and bringing referrals with them
Employee Motivation - Access Their Unique Talents
How well do you truly understand the people you have working with you in your business? Why would you want to know? They show up, do what you tell them, take th...
Affiliates: 3 Things You Should Own Though You Dont Own A Product.
1. Your Own web site: Most affiliates put a redirect link directly to their affiliate product. It is not such a good practice. Register a domain that closely ...
New Age Piano Tricks
Describes an often used technique employed by New Age pianists.
Big Advertising Mistake - Dont Do This and It Will Save Your Advertising Budget!
Read this article before wasting more of your online advertising budget!
Rate Tarts Losing Ability to Cherry Pick
Credit card introductory period offers due to be phased out following massive losses by providers.
Creative Visualization For Successful Goal Achievement
Visualization is a secret shared by top athletes, actors, performers, and business leaders. It is used by almost all successful people. Visualization is menta...
Winter Skin Savers
Do you have the winter skin blues? Is the itching and flaking driving you crazy? Don't worry; you can take steps to protect and soothe your body's largest org...
Build Links, Build Business
Increasing your online business hinges on your ability to optimize your web page for the search engines. While different search engines look for different thing...
Will You Be Successful?
We all want success. You do. So do I. Some achieve it. Most people do not - at least, not in the way they dream of it. Why?
12 Reasons You Should Learn to Play the Piano
My 12 not-so-scientific reasons why you should learn how to play the piano.
Holiday Recipe: Filled Cookies
From the book: Christmas In Dairyland (True Stories From a Wisconsin Farm) When I was a kid growing up on our dairy farm in Wisconsin 40 years ago, cookies with...
How To Choose The Right Web Design Company
Are you trying to choose a webdesigner to build a website for your business? You may not realize it, but there are a number of important issues you MUST conside...
Bathroom Vanities – The Finishing Touch For Your Bathroom Makeover!
Bathroom vanities come in a wide variety of different styles and finishes, so it can be tricky to choose one that will be just right for your bathroom's new ima...
5 Hot Job Negotiations Tips!
Most employers expect you to negotiate a job offer. If you don't do it like a pro you can leave thousands on the table untouched!
Acne Scar Removal
Those who have battled with acne may have acne scars. Acne scar removal is possible in many cases. Acne scar removal is something you may want to consider if ...
|
Print this page