Random Data in pages

Should I sort my pages differently for Google?

[olwen]

I have a directory site listing a number of businesses by region.

I've had people suggest that the order should be random rather than alpha, and I can see their point. How will google feel about getting a different order each time?

These pages are pseudo-static with urls like mysite.com/region/1

[jdMorgan]

olwen,

I don't think they'll like it much - it may look like cloaking.

How about a user-friendly alphabetic list, and a business-friendly "Featured
Site" box at the top that changes each time? That way, the users will be able
to find a business by name, and the businesses will be happier because even
"Zeke's Zebra Shop" will get to be listed first occasionally. In addition,
most of the page will be static, and only the featured site will change between
robot visits.

As a potential user, a random list sounds like a usability nightmare to me...

Jim

[olwen]

I've done the featured business thing.

Users will not normally look for a particular place I think. I'm selling accommodation, not zebras, so visitors to the site won't know which business they want.

A location sort would maybe be best, but the data isn't clean enough.