Hello, I work at an e-commerce company which sells replacement parts, we carry thousands of products which fall into several categories & subcategories and at the same time, fit different brand, model and version items. Given that scenario, which of the following site structures would work best to achive a high page rank: ===================== Structure 1 ===================== - Use a set of select boxes to allow users to specify the brand, model and version of their item, then show them the list of categories that match, and finally (after the user clicks a category) show them the products related to that brand, model, version + category - There is no category or subcategory pages - There is no individual product pages (to avoid pagerank dilution) - The problem with this one is that there is no navigation flow ===================== Structure 2 ===================== - Allow the users to navigate the site by drilling down into category pages (Category > Subcategory > Products) - Allow the users to navigate the site by drilling down using item features (Brand > Model > Version > Category > Products ) - Have category and subcategory pages. - Link to category pages from the home page. - The problem with this one is that increasing the number of pages might dilute pagerank The first structure aims to increase pagerank by reducing the number of pages visible on the site, the second one aims to enhance user experience and give the site's structure some hierarchy, which one could work better for SEO? I will really apprecite your ideas, thanks
Well, i think you should go forward with second structure i.e. enhancing the user experience as you have mentioned that you are working for e-commerce company, so user experience is the must thing that needs to be concentrated.
second site structures looks more SEO friendly, from the my point of view you should go forward with second site structure.
Go with structure 2, looks good for seo friendly, every e-commerce website must need well link structure.
Definitely number 2. User engagement is a major partof the algorithm. If the user can't navigate the site, they are going to leave and if it is to overwhelming they are going to leave. You want to keep them there, so make it user friendly. Also, google prefers a silo type site because it shows organization and structure.
Number 1, as you explain it, aims to increase your PageRank by...and I can stop you right there! Simplest advice - when talking about SEO nowadays, stop considering PageRank as a main contributing factor. Truth is, its not relevant anymore, its not so vital as before and Google themselves indicated several times that most probably this won't change in the future. And trying to influence something that is compiled of about 200 different factors will make your head explode at the end Number 2, again as per your explanations, aims to improve user experience. Now you got something there. Ask yourself this one question - would you be selling your products to real customers or to Google? Exactly, clients are your source of revenue and this is where you should be aiming. The breadcrumb structure you introduced is quite popular for a reason. It not only provides easier navigation, but its essential for larger websites with many products. As a user, when browsing through a site, if I get lost I will quickly lose interest. So not only you are driving people to your store - you want them to stay there. And having an easy way to go back and forth through your products is one good way of doing that. Think like a customer and determine what you like or don't like when shopping online. You will be surprised how many good website are made exactly with that one thought in mind
I would prefer the second structure as it is user friendly and for better SEO there are many on page and off page techniques.
But on the other hand, more pages get indexed and more chances of customers finding your site from different "keyword" searches! Too bad you, can't "mash" the two options and make a third.