Is this site structure ok for Google?

google site structure

[limitup]

I'm going to start an affiliate business, and probably end up diversifying into several areas. I don't think keywords in the domain are terribly important these days, so I was thinking of using just a "normal" somewhat generic domain name, and then having separate directories off the main domain for each mini-site/theme that I pursue i.e. whatever.com/theme1, whatever.com/theme2, etc. They may or may not be related. Is this an OK structure or should I basically use a separate domain for each site?

[mcavic]

I think that's the best structure. I'd avoid multiple domains.

[BigDave]

It's going to be a lot harder to get listed in directories with a multi-theme site.

[deejay]

In terms of getting into Google and getting listed, yeah, there's no problem at all.

In terms of really doing well in Google, you're limiting yourself a bit with a multi-themed site. Incoming link text is far less likely to contain your search terms, and that is a powerful advantage that single theme sites have in Google. As Birdman said, it will also limit you getting listed in some directories, and you'll have to work harder chasing links to get decent PR, which is another significant factor.

[SEO practioner]

Hi Limit up

If you have very different and unrelated content and have the budget for it, I would go the multiple domain route.

Deejay is right. You won't get the same mileage in Google on a multi-themed site. But if your content is very similar and related, stay safe with just a single domain and go ahead with your directory structure that you had in mind.

It's all a question of content- Content is King

:-) SEO

[Fence]

I have also been wondering something along the same lines, although not with an affiliate site. So here goes:

Is it better to have:

www.widgets.com/aluminumwidgets/index.shtml
www.widgets.com/steelwidgets/index.shtml
www.widgets.com/vinylwidgets/index.shtml

-OR-

www.widgets.com/aluminumwidgets/aluminumwidgets.shtml
www.widgets.com/steelwidgets/steelwidgets.shtml
www.widgets.com/vinylwidgets/vinylwidgets.shtml

-OR-

www.widgets.com/aluminumwidgets.shtml
www.widgets.com/steelwidgets.shtml
www.widgets.com/vinylwidgets.shtml

With a large site I think either option #1 or #2 would be easiest to maintain. I am currently using option #1, is there a consequence to this; not having the keyword in the filename.

Thanks
Josh

[limitup]

"Incoming link text is far less likely to contain your search terms"

Thanks for all the replies. I'm not sure I understand the comment above though. My thinking is that the homepage at whatever.com will just be a glorified sitemap - I won't even promote it other than submitted it to SEs, etc. When someone links to a particular section/page of the site, I would ask them to use appropriate wording, and link to the appropriate section of the site. Am I missing something?

[deejay]

I should clarify...

If going with a single domain is your only option costwise or for whatever reason, don't let the downside stop you. Jump in and do it. I would suggest though picking a broadish theme.. whether 'gifts' or, oh I dunno, 'house and garden' or 'computer'... something like that and keeping the site within that broad theme. It becomes relatively easy to grow the site then with focused sections on say, men's gifts, birthday gifts, christmas gifts, etc... and give yourself a decent chance at some broader themed links, etc.

The alternative is more of a megastore approach with a bit of everything and no focus. Nothing to say that couldn't work too.. but I tend to think that megastores are supported by two factors - branding and size. You're starting off without a brand, and it will take time to get some size, so again it's a harder road.

I firmly believe the important thing with affiliate marketing is to stop dithering and jump in with both feet (having been a ditherer myself for far too long and having recently jumped in). Good luck :)

[deejay]

"Incoming link text is far less likely to contain your search terms"

Google loves incoming links to your site... and it really loves incoming links with your search terms in them. Google thinks "hmmm.. 100 sites have linked to this site, they must think it's a pretty good site. And they all mention blue widgets in their link text... gee, this must be a pretty good site about blue widgets!" There's a lot more to their algo of course (about 98 other factors), but that's a nice slice if you can get it.

Do some research here on PR (page rank) and incoming link text for more info.

I won't even promote it other than submitted it to SEs, etc.

Google in particular would far rather find you through incoming links to your site than because you submitted to them, and more and more of the other engines are becoming pay to play. An isolated site could site a long time before being indexed anywhere.

When someone links to a particular section/page of the site, I would ask them to use appropriate wording, and link to the appropriate section of the site.

If you are an affiliate sales site (as opposed to content site with aff sales tagged on), I would change that "when' to "if", and a big "IF" at that. If you are not running a reciprocal link campaign, then you need to ask yourself why are people going to link to you? Incoming links for commercial sites don't tend to be self generating, deep links can be even harder to come by, and if you're an affiliate site you need to ask yourself why would anyone link to you when they could link direct to the merchant.

Check out some of paynt's fabulous posts and the linking topics forum for more info on getting links.

[edited by: Marcia at 4:28 am (utc) on April 22, 2003]
[edit reason] Formatting correction [/edit]

[deejay]

That's what I get for doing seven things at once.

Thanks Marcia :)

[Marcia]

For a non-affiliate site you'd have to check the PR and number of sites listed in the ODP cats for the single-product or multiple products. That doesn't enter into the picture with an affiliate site, but if it's a quality site and fits into a particular niche, there may be other directories to list with, some paid for regular or premium listings, and in that case it might be easier to pay for one listing than many.

Whether it's an affiliate site or otherwise, Google likes good sites - and good sites generally have a good navigaton structure.

To give a specific, for easy maintenance and other reasons as well including not leaving the root of the directories without a default index page, #1 would be my preference.

www.widgets.com/aluminumwidgets/index.shtml
www.widgets.com/steelwidgets/index.shtml
www.widgets.com/vinylwidgets/index.shtml

That leaves room to build out in a logical way within the individual sub-topics of the site.

From another POV, if it's hard to get inbound links, it's easier to get links to one site than it is too many - unless you want to devise a strategy and set up a bit of a "domain farm" among them - legitimately of course, being careful about the inter-linking. There are some groups of 5 or 6 sites out there doing very well within certain niches and they're clean sites.

You could also use subdomains if there's enough content to warrant it, but the view of some is that it looks kind of silly if there's only one page or so for each - and you have to be careful about how those are linked. /directories/ sound most logical and simple unless there's enough of a topical difference to warrant separate sites and you know you can put in the time and be able to get inbound links to many sites.

>>If you are not running a reciprocal link campaign

We need inbound links to be sure, but I'm one of those people around who would rather rely on a good, healthy internal linking structure as the foundation of site optimization rather than primarily a reciprocal linking campaign. That has its value, but if the site is optimally structured it isn't necessary to have to obsess over links. I've seen sites that were no_place with a kazillion on-theme links and stayed that way until the sites themselves were worked on.

The site structure is something we have total control over from the ground up if we're the ones managing the site, and it's a foundation that's steadfast and reliable whereas, regardless of whether it's an affiliate site or not, we may or may not have the same degree of control over the inbound links.

An added consideration is that if any of the sub-topics happen to be moderately competitive, it may be easier to rank well for the keyword phrases with a larger site than it would be for a mini-site. Again, you'd have more reliable control over the anchor text and *very important* - the other factors associated with anchor text - if there's a good amount of it that's internal to the site itself and under your control.

There are pluses and minuses to each way that have to be weighed.