No real folder structure - Is this bad?

[Timetraveler]

All my pages are built like they were a page linked up from the homepage even though they may be found in other primary pages linked 1 or 2 pages away. Like mine goes

http://www.example.com/My-page

and most people have it

http://www.example.com/folder-whatever/my-page

It's a CMS so I don't know much about website building but will that hurt me in the search engines?

TY

[edited by: tedster at 11:44 pm (utc) on June 29, 2006]
[edit reason] use example.com [/edit]

[Quadrille]

It doesn't matter too much which folders your pages are in - and if it matters at all, the consensus would seem to be that a shallow structure has the advantage. If any, I should add!

What is vitally important is your internal navigation, and one good reason to use folders - it allows you to build a logical structure, with logical navigation.

But folders or not, if the navigation is sound, you'll be OK; and if in any doubt, add a sitemap - and a Google site map as well as your own.

[Timetraveler]

When you say internal navigation do you mean this in a sense to your visitors?

So basically all your links should make sense on what page they are on and users should logically be able to go and find a page they need? Or do you mean something else for search engines.

TY

[Quadrille]

If the links work for your visitors, then the search engines will be happy too.

The exception to this is if your site relies on javascript links, in which case the site map - or alternative HTML links - is vital. Google (et al) can only list what they can find; so good navigation is the only way to get all your pages listed. And a 'sensible' structure to the site can help, while also making future expansion easier; if there's no logic, then adding one new page will be a nightmare to ensure it gets appropriately linked from other pages; neat use of folders makes that a doddle.

If it doesn't matter now, will it matter when the site is much older and bigger and you cannot remember where pages are? :)