With "www" or without it?

Discussion in 'Search Engine Optimization' started by Yankee85, Apr 9, 2008.

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  1. #1
    I have a website that had no www. I mean, all the links were without www in front. But I see that DMOZ requests the website to have www in front.
    Why? Is there such a big difference? Should I build my next website with www prefix?
    Do you have any website subscribed to DMOZ that has no www?

    Thanks!
     
    Yankee85, Apr 9, 2008 IP
  2. Colataxsolutions

    Colataxsolutions Peon

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    #2
    I have a website that is in DMOZ with out a www. The category had no editor so, that I became. :)

    As for the www vs the no www is a good question that I do not know. But as far as backlinks go I think you should be putting which ever one is correct out there. Even though I believe a permanent redirect transfers all backlinks and page ranking to the other. Don't quote me, I may be wrong.
     
    Colataxsolutions, Apr 9, 2008 IP
  3. Dan Schulz

    Dan Schulz Peon

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    #3
    Yes, there is a difference - Google and other search engines treat example.com and www.example.com as two separate pages. Basically just pick one and stick with it throughout your Web site.

    As for DMOZ, I woudn't worry too much about it. If it doesn't violate their TOS, include the .www version of the URL and 301 it to the non-www version.
     
    Dan Schulz, Apr 9, 2008 IP
  4. Robinox

    Robinox Active Member

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    #4
    With or without www, is not important for SEO. But You must one variant redirect to other with 301 redirect permanently.
     
    Robinox, Apr 9, 2008 IP
  5. Dan Schulz

    Dan Schulz Peon

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    #5
    It is very important, Robinox. As I said, Google and other search engines treat the www and non-www versions as separate pages, which means that having both (which is the default) WILL cause duplicate content issues. That is why it is recommended to pick one and 301 redirect the other.
     
    Dan Schulz, Apr 9, 2008 IP
  6. sultanofseo

    sultanofseo Notable Member

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    #6
    it doesn't realy matter which version you use but whichever you use, use only one version.
     
    sultanofseo, Apr 9, 2008 IP
  7. EnPassant

    EnPassant Active Member

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    #7
    You can use .htaccess to redirect one to the other but make sure that WWW. and or without WWW. redirect to one type only. This is very important.

    http:// yourdomain .com and http:// www. yourdomain .com should point to http:// yourdomain .com only for example or vice versa.
     
    EnPassant, Apr 9, 2008 IP
  8. Rivers

    Rivers Peon

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    #8
    it doesn't matter which one you use, as long as you stick with the same when building links.
     
    Rivers, Apr 9, 2008 IP
  9. thebeacon

    thebeacon Guest

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    #9
    By default if you install blog software or CMS they do not have prefix www. For SEO when it comes to backlinks you have to make up your mind. If you have all of your backlinks start with www. and you have not specified it in .htaccess your SEO efforts could be going to waiste
     
    thebeacon, Apr 9, 2008 IP
  10. Dan Schulz

    Dan Schulz Peon

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    #10
    Actually, they fixed that in WordPress 2.x - which is why when I emailed the Enforce .www Preference plugin author, he told me to stop using it!
     
    Dan Schulz, Apr 9, 2008 IP