website structure

file structure

[sinthetiq]

hello, I have a website that contains many (approx 50) pages. I was wondering what would be the best way to structure the files. I have made pages using directories where each page is a index.php file, so to access the page it would be http://www.example.com/directory/ .. instead of /filename.php ..

does it matter which i do? in terms of seo and any other issues.

[mack]

I think you have made a good decision regarding your site structure. Having a folder for each main topic makes sense if you plan to add more pages within each topic, so you have left room for growth.

For example
example.com/cars/index.php
example.com/cars/ford.php
example.com/cars/honda.php

your index page can have information and links to related pages within the same topic.

What you have done is create a pyramid structure that allows you to effective organise your website.

Mack.

[celgins]

Your file structuring idea sounds fine.

Plus, depending on the server being used, using an "index.php" file will keep your directory list from being displayed if someone navigates to "www.example.com/directory/"

[sinthetiq]

Thanks!

[mack]

Related thread

[webmasterworld.com...]

Mack.

[Jim Catanich]

The structure is good as it stands now. It is the correct structure for future growth.

But remember to maximize PR, do not cross link between subdirectories.
Only link back to the home page. Use a <BASE href="http://www.example.com"> on all pages and only use the <a href="/">home page</a> as the internal link back.

Although many site use the copyright statement to link back to the home page. Don't.

Also, many sites use the logo to link back to the home page. Don't.

As dumb as this sounds, by making these changes only, I went from a PR3 to a PR4.

The improper use of internal back links is the greatest PR loss mistake being made today.

Now, from an SEO standpoint, the subdirectory's name should be the keyword /keyword phrase of the subdirectory's default page content. (i.e. [my-site-name...]

Hope this helps

[edited by: encyclo at 12:42 pm (utc) on Aug. 8, 2008]

[Jim Catanich]

From a PR standpoint, to maximize the pr of the 50 page site, the Home page should link to all 50 pages. Each 50 pages would then link back to the home page ONLY. No cross linking. This will maximizes the site's pr.

Then to meet Google's "user friendly" navigation requirement, you apply a client side JavaScript menuing system (Google does not index client side scripts i.e. javascripts linking) to do the cross linkings.

But I don't want to push "white hat" to much.

[edited by: encyclo at 12:42 pm (utc) on Aug. 8, 2008]