Site Structure

[agerhart]

Paynt, I know this is right up your alley ;)

I have a site that is themed pretty well and uses sub-domains. I have a question about linking within the site:

On the index page, should I have a link to the sub-index with some descriptive text, and also links to the pages underneath the sub-index?

OR

should I only have links to the sub-index with descriptive text?

[drbill]

Agerhart,

I prefer to link with Decs. Text to the Subdomain.

That is my opinon.

Regards

Dr. Bill

[agerhart]

so you are saying that I should only link to the sub-index and not the pages that are underneath it as well?

[agerhart]

just bringing this to the top......anyone have any input on this?

[mivox]

Depends on how many 'levels' of info the site has. I'd say definitely link with descriptive text to the subdomain indexes. Then, look at the structure for each subdomain...

Is each subdomain a pretty flat structure?

Lvl 1: index page Lvl 2: everything else

Or are they multi-tiered structures?

Lvl 1: index Lvl 2: subtopic Lvl 3: detailed info

If it's flat, I'd only link to the subdomain indexes. If it's multi-tiered, I'd consider linking to the subdomain indexes and "level 2" pages. But either way, look at the main index page... make sure it doesn't end up cluttered, or looking like a copy of your site map. ;)

[agerhart]

Thanks Mivox, I think I have it now.

The site is laid out like so:

1) Index with links to the subdomains

2) Subdomains: include description of subdomain and links to all content pages below

3) Content pages within the sub-domains

-This should be kosher, right?

[littleman]

I've had good results sideways cross linking sub pages of third level domains. If the link is somewhat on topic, text based and not to promiscuous you should get some benefit.

[agerhart]

Littleman,

Are you suggesting crosslink all of the sub-domain third level pages? All of my pages are somewhat on topic.....is this beneficial to the theme and linking of the site?

[littleman]

Agerhart, I'd go easy. Don't over do it, an on-topic sideways link here and there will help, but cross linking all of them would probably trigger a penalty.

[agerhart]

right on.....thanks for the help everyone.

[paynt]

Sorry Andrew, I took a day off but it looks like the answers covered your question quite well.

I agree with littleman about the cross-linking between the canonicals. These can really work for you or they can work against you if not done correctly. I like to cross-link the third level where possible because this is often the most defined of your topic, i.e. the specific product or service and if it can also be defined with a separate canonical and then linked at this level, you've got some good side linking. Unless I can really justify in my own mind the quality of the link, I veer on the side of caution.