include files with links 1

[slickwillyslim]

my website uses drop-down menus with links and a left panel with picture button links. the links are the same for almost all of the pages. the problem is that links are added or removed from the drop menus and buttons about once a month. instead of having to update the drop menus and buttons for all the pages, i thought it would be much easier to update two include files: one for the drop menus and the other for the buttons. then on each page in the button and menu sections simply put the include file code. my concern is how this will affect my ranking. any suggestions? also, i'm writing product lists from a database. i want the spider to follow the link to the full description of the product. problem is that my full description pages are dynamically generated, so without using a form, how will the discription.asp page know which product to display? i know spiders won't submit forms, so how could this be achieved alternatively? thanks a bunch for any suggestions.

 

[ChrisHirst]

server-side includes are absolutely no problem for SE crawlers. The code is in the page stream before it is sent to the browser/crawler.

to get all your products indexed.

1. make sure that session IDs are not sent in the URL
2. make sure cookies aren't required by your cart/catalogue software.
3. keep the querystring parameters less than 3.
4. no forms or javascript links to show the products.
5. try to keep products 2 max 3 clicks away from the home page/entry point
6. create a paginated product map page where all the products are listed using a single parameter (prod id) and link this from at the very least the home page or every page.

Set this up so it will show a snippet of text on the page from your product description. (I've posted some functions in ASP to do this recently and I have the same functions set up in PHP).
This serves a dual purpose, It gives the crawlers a way to all your products quickly and it gives visitors another way to find products. (text only browsers and screen readers etc).

Don't worry about duplicate content issues as the SE algos will soon work out which page URL they are going to display.

One thing to note is to ensure that your product pages do not appear as "orphans" and have your naormal navigation on them otherwise you'll have visitor arriving at a dead end.

Either a custom 404 page or having the product page handle missing IDs correctly is also essential with this scenario for when you remove products from the database.


Chris.

Indifference will be the downfall of mankind, but who cares?

http://www.candsdesign.co.uk

A website that proves the cobblers kids adage.

http://www.cram-system.com

Nightclub counting systems

So long, and thanks for all the fish.

 

[slickwillyslim]

Great tips! i'm glad i can use those include files, that'll make maintenence much less hassle. i think the full picture is just starting to clear up for me now about keeping a dynamic site SE friendly, thanks to all your advice. when i'm bill gates rich, i'll hire you on at $100,000,000/year LOL. thanks again Chris.

 

[ChrisHirst]

sounds like a plan



Chris.

Indifference will be the downfall of mankind, but who cares?

http://www.candsdesign.co.uk

A website that proves the cobblers kids adage.

http://www.cram-system.com

Nightclub counting systems

So long, and thanks for all the fish.