Dynamic -VS- Static Pages

Is using dynamic pages hurting us?

[marketingmagic]

We recently launched a new website (about 1.4mths ago) and we've been losing rankings since the launch.
While I was expecting to initially lose rankings followed by a slow build up as the engines crawl and index the new pages, but I wasn't expecting to see so few interior pages ranking. MSN isn't ranking us anywhere close to what they used to, Yahoo doesn't rank us at all, despite seeing almost all the pages when doing site:, and Google only seems to be ranking a handful of the interior pages, primarily ranking the home page, and in many of the cases using the DMOZ description.

The site is Perl based, with mod rewrites to make the pages look like: domain.com/products/widgetcat/index.html

I'm wondering if these dynamic pages are hurting us.

Appreciate any feedback!

[zomega42]

There's nothing wrong with dynamic pages, I don't think that's the problem. I have never used a static page.

[marketingmagic]

Do you think it may be due to me just being impatient then? I know one can expect to see a drop in rankings and indexed pages after launching a completely new version of a site, especially when changing all file names. (site was previously JSP)

As I mentioned the launch is only 1.4 months out of the gates so should I take a valium over the dropped pages I am seeing in MSN and the lack of interior pages getting ranked in Google? (Yahoo's another story altogether)

Does the fact that its Perl based have any negative effect?

[zafile]

Google recommends a few things when using dynamic URLs at [google.com...]

"If you decide to use dynamic pages (i.e., the URL contains a "?" character), be aware that not every search engine spider crawls dynamic pages as well as static pages."

IMHO, if most of your competitors are using static URLs, it is quite risky to use dynamic knowing "not every search engine spider crawls dynamic pages as well as static pages".

[Skier]

Dynamic pages have been good for me.

You said it - patience is needed. Your pages are not anywhere near establishing their longer term positions. Takes time...and links...and fine tuning. Lots to keep you busy while you wait.

[SuddenlySara]

Your site is only a month and a half old and you are worried about loosing rankings? I think you should chill for sure and just keep adding good content to your site and work on getting related links to your site.

[pauldmitri]

Is mod rewrite a good idea to create a face of your dynamic site that is more spider friendly?

If so, does the mod rewrite process interfere with the Google Sitemap generator?

[marketingmagic]

Sorry I didn't mean the site is a month and a half old, I mean the new redesign and launch of it is.

In addition I should add our pages have mod rewrites so the urls look like this /products/widgetcategory/index.html.