Choosing Page Names For Your Web Site
Posted by Linas Bari on: 2008-01-21 00:06:32
Self SEO > Search Engine Optimization Articles
In this article I would like to comment how to choose web site page names to achieve best possible visitor's experience and search engine ranking.
Firstly one needs to understand the difference between static and dynamic URLs.
Dynamic Pages
Dynamic website page names are used to send variables to a script file in order to perform a task that usually generates dynamic results. Dynamic URLs always contain question mark that separates file name from sent variables. Example name "do.php?a=1&b=2" would pass variable a=2 and b=2 to "do.php" script file that generates some response.
Such technology is very useful for web designers but it down performs in search engine listings. Search engines prefer static URLs that are less likely to change over time.
Static Pages
To explain static page naming we are going to use two example URLs: "about.htm" and "about.php".
Classic example of a static page name consists of name and extension. Page name extension indicates technology ("htm" says that page uses HTML technology) or a programming language ("php" extension indicates that page was generated using PHP server side scripting) used.
Many consider that pages with extension other than "htm" or "html" are worth more than those with server side scripting language indicators (like PHP, ASP and others).
If you will try to search for "search engine optimization" in Google and look at domain names of first 20 web sites, you will notice that URLs with many extensions are present. This indicates that search engines don't really care about extension as long as the page represents useful information for the visitor.
Friendly URLs
Friendly URLs are static page names with no extension at all.
Friendly page names are very useful to the user as they are easy to remember (E.g. help, shop, contact …).
Page name extension that refers to scripting language/technology used in the page. Extension-less construction protects page names from becoming obsolete if different web technology is going to be used to generate / present them in the future. Such names can be achieved only using URL rewriting technology.
URL rewriting
Rewrite engine is a special service on the server that modifies URLs before they are processed by scripting language. It is used to convert dynamic page names to static ones:
Dynamic page:
index.php?page=news&item=34
Can be changed to static page:
news/34.html
Or simply
news/34
Rewrite engine is very helpful to maintain static page names for complex database driven websites, where parameters have to be sent to generate results. Dynamic pages are usually not cached by web browsers so by using rewrite technology to generate static pages one increases overall web site performance.
Apache web servers have built in component called "mod_rewrite" which allows setting up rewrite engine by uploading RegExp (Regular Expression) commands to ".htaccess" file. For those who use Windows IIS web servers - Free IconicIsapiRewrite plug-in can be installed to achieve URL rewriting.
Linas Bari is designer and developer at Smooth Step studio that offers web design in Marbella. Visit our web site for more information about web site development, content management and search engine marketing.
Print this article
Tell a friend
 | Related Articles |
 | User comments: |
imranz
-
Posted on: 2008-03-16 21:35:15
Yes Right !
URL rewriting has very good effect on search engine as well. and i think
34.html is not a good option,
/34/caption.html is very good url rewriting method it describes the pages and tells a lot about contents. GOOGLE or yahoo search engine love to index such descriptive pages
http://www.urdumaza.com
benjamin6418
-
Posted on: 2010-11-16 09:09:58
Deciding on a name for your new Web page is almost as difficult as deciding what kind of content you want to display. For some people it may be the hardest thing they have to do. Choosing a name is very important. If you choose the wrong name people may not want to come to your site because they may think it's not worth visiting.
__________________
Link Building
SEO Packages
vanessalamica@gmail.com
-
Posted on: 2010-12-22 13:28:40
This is a nice post in an interesting line of content.Thanks for sharing this article, great way of bring this topic to iscussion.Keep up the excellent work !
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
internet marketing companyseo services
Susancai
-
Posted on: 2011-01-26 04:49:35
This is a nice post. What you say is very rational. They are good for us to know. <a href="http://www.factorgaming.com">gaming laptop</a>|<a href="http://www.factorgaming.com/gaming_laptops">gaming laptop</a>|<a href="http://www.factorgaming.com/details/NP8850">NP8850</a>
Susancai
-
Posted on: 2011-01-26 04:50:25
This is a nice post. What you say is very rational. They are good for us to know. <a href="http://www.factorgaming.com">gaming laptop</a>|<a href="http://www.factorgaming.com/gaming_laptops">gaming laptop</a>|<a href="http://www.factorgaming.com/details/NP8850">NP8850</a>
cagenicolus
-
Posted on: 2011-02-11 12:52:21
Very useful post to know how to rewrite the URL's. Could you explain more in URL rewriting for window hosting.
Golf Practice Drills |
Golf Practice Routine
jerremy255
-
Posted on: 2011-02-12 10:05:00
I would like to comment how to choose web site page names to achieve best possible visitor's experience and search engine ranking.
Firstly one needs to understand the difference between static and dynamic
__________________
Contract Hire
Car Leasing
Helmore
-
Posted on: 2011-02-14 13:41:22
Amazing!I also wish him good luck to defend his gold medal.I like to share it with all my friends and hope they will also encourage him.
Freelance SEO India
SEO Expert India
jerremy255
-
Posted on: 2011-02-15 08:00:45
In this article I would like to comment how to choose web site page names to achieve best possible visitor's experience and search engine ranking.
Firstly one needs to understand the difference between static and dynamic.
______________
Web Design Glasgow
Web Design Company Glasgow
Asharma
-
Posted on: 2011-02-15 09:30:09
I found your website perfect for my needs. It contains wonderful and helpful posts. I have read most of them and learned a lot from them. You are doing some great work. Thank you for making such a nice website.
satellite internet service
jacksondew
-
Posted on: 2011-02-15 11:06:43
I really love the way information is presented in your post. I have added you in my social bookmark…and i am waiting for your next post.
SpeedLimit - Webdesigningcompany.net
AbleSmith
-
Posted on: 2011-03-17 08:04:10
Naming a page is the important task, imagine your business name and keep that in a page because page names gives you credibility.
Motorcycles For Sale
baseballcap
-
Posted on: 2011-03-24 09:18:35
I promise.
<a href="http://www.jerseywholesales.net">cheap nfl jerseys</a>This theme serves to educate people in their daily life, thanks to people like you we have more knowledge about this important issue.Interesting information.The Truth Plus Sensitivity, Specificity and All That Is Decent to Reveal About Predictive Values This theme serves to educate people in their daily life, thanks to people like you we have more knowledge about this important issue.
<a href="http://www.2014jerseys.com/wholesale-21-b0-Miami-Dolphins.html">Miami Dolphins jerseys</a>
jason123
-
Posted on: 2011-03-29 15:14:00
Excellent stuff from you, man I’ve read your things before and you are just too awesome. I adore what you have got right here. You make it entertaining and you still manage to keep it smart. This is truly a great blog thanks for sharing…
Mothers day flowers delivery Ireland |
send gifts to Indonesia
bags
-
Posted on: 2011-04-07 11:22:00
Very useful info provided Thanks for it!
<a href="http://www.ozjewelry.com.au/">jewellery for sale</a>
<a href="http://www.bbcjeans.com/">jeans clothing</a>
baseballcap
-
Posted on: 2011-04-11 08:25:25
It contains wonderful and helpful posts. I have read most of them and learned a lot from them. You are doing some great work. Thank you for making such a nice website.
Arizona Cardinals jerseys
Dallas Cowboys jerseys
<a href="http://www.2014jerseys.com/wholesale-15-b0-Detroit-Lions.html">Detroit Lions jerseys</a>
baseballcap
-
Posted on: 2011-04-11 08:27:21
This is just the information I am finding everywhere. Thanks for your blog, I just subscribe your blog.This is a nice blog.
<a href="http://www.2014jerseys.com/wholesale-37-b0-Arizona-Cardinals.html">Arizona Cardinals jerseys</a>
<a href="http://www.2014jerseys.com/wholesale-13-b0-Dallas-Cowboys.html">Dallas Cowboys jerseys</a>
baseballcap
-
Posted on: 2011-04-11 08:30:30
This is just the information I am finding everywhere. Thanks for your blog, I just subscribe your blog.This is a nice blog.
I’ve read your things before and you are just too awesome. I adore what you have got right here. You make it entertaining and you still manage to keep it smart. This is truly a great blog thanks for sharing…
Detroit Lions jerseys
truballer2
-
Posted on: 2011-05-02 00:50:44
i like this <a href="http://vigrxplussite.info">vigrx plus</a>
 | Post New Comment |
This site does not allow anonymous comments. Registered members can
login to participate.
Registration is free and takes only a few seconds