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Basically, I think I want to create 2 sets of nearly identical documents, one would be htm, the other html.
Page content would be essentially identical. The difference if that one set would be optimized for SE A, and the other for SE B.
The robots.txt would be used to exclude SE A from htm documents, and to exclude SE B from the html documents.
The reasoning is that SE A might be better suited for long, loopy kw phrases while SE B prefers the short, consise kw's.
Also, and what prompted my whole train of thought in this direction, is that - oh, let's say Jeeves, has a preference for one file over the other - which is what I think I read (but can't verify now).
Any thoughts to this approach? Any feedback on who might prefer one file extension over the other, and why?
Many thanks
grandpa
I think the best solution is provide additional content pages without duplication but targeting the other SE's allowing all SE's to all content. Then you have to ask, is the extra work worth the few extra hits from the non-major engines.
I usually(well not sure now with Google) target Google for all pages and add a page here and there for MSN or other SE, when not ranking quite as well.
If server thinks index.htm is the default that is what will be attempted to be given to the bot. At that point the bot sees that the .htm is restricted and decides to leave.
Something I didn't even consider. Or even think about considering. So I can bypass the index and still focus on the inner pages.... (brain is ticking mildly)
The (2nd) issue is other sites linking to yours, are they going to link to the .htm or .html?
That certainly would require a links management procedure. I didn't see it right away, but now I do.
I think the best solution is provide additional content pages without duplication but targeting the other SE's allowing all SE's to all content. Then you have to ask, is the extra work worth the few extra hits from the non-major engines.
I could certainly do that right now. The site is still small (less than 50 pages). It's no so much a matter of a few extra hits. It's my understanding that G and Teoma, for example, are 2 animals with quite different spots. My goal would be to feed each a diet that keeps it happy. Maybe I'm feeling a little crispy around the edges lately, so I'd be leery of feeding Teoma something that would cause G to abandon me altogether. I really want to give them both a quality diet. (Feel free to substitute your favorite SE for the examples I used.)
I *still* have this feeling that I read here somewhere about how some SE's actually prefer one file over the other. Maybe it was a bad dream.... :)
Added:
If you mirror the file names, then you won't have to worry about different file extensions.
There is no preference for .htm .html .cfm .asp .jsp from what I have seen as long it is not dynamic with?.
As many have said in this forum, "Make your pages for the Customer" and the search engines will find you. Get relavant links, and keep creating content based on NEW "search terms" from your logs. Some may be popular that you have not thought of, and someone actually went to page 20 to find your site for a phrase you were unaware of.
I have found that even with FLORIDA the less commercial phrases have out performed on percentage of sales.(IMO they are more specific for the users wants)
bcc1234, yes, that what I had in mind, serving up according to agent. Now I can set up a plan to specifically target my audience. This is great, I can continue to develop those new SEO abilites and learn yet another skillset with mod rewrite. (I'm not even comfortable saying those words outloud... yet.) I've had a few days to think about the direction of my site and so far down is not one of them.
(well with the florida update that could be argued)
I'm hearing the mantra "Make your pages for the Customer".
And I'm staying true to that. Nothing gets considered until I'm certain my site functions well and is comfortable to a visitor. I've got some fantastic testers too. If they can use my page - anyone can use it.
I'm still struggling with tracking my sales, like everything else it's new and suddenly more important
than everything else! I can see a real need to develop a pretty thourough working plan for this site, if for no
other reason than to help guide me. I think we used to call this the 5000 foot level :)
Thanks guys
grandpa
If Google does not apprieciate that page for your desired phrase, Google will pick one
I really missed that the first time thru, I guess in all the excitement :) Something else I think I hear a lot of is 'this is my site, and my front door is my index page'. That's how this site was built and that's how I maintain it today. If Google doesn't appreciate my front door that's their loss as much as mine. Lucky for me you can come in nearly any door, so let them pick. But if you want to find out anything about me or my product you'll want to see my front door before you see my cart. I have a hard time believing (right now) that bay style internet mall shopping is how I'll have to promote this site.
