Pagination and Canonocal Issue

[dsingh1079]

Hi,

I have a site which have city wise pages and in a given city we have categories. The listed products can be listed in different categories which have separate URL.  The site have different URL, meta, title for each category. We want to Rank these pages based on category also...

What is best way to avoid duplicate and canonical issue..

Thanks,
Darshan..

[dsingh1079]

Can anyone suggest?

[SamuelScott]

Having the same products in different categories is not generally a bad thing as long as you create canonical versions. I'd read this Moz post that may greatly help you: http://moz.com/ugc/ecommerce-seo-creating-collections-based-on-searches

Depending on the number of keyword targets, you may want to do one of the following:

1. Create category pages in the style of "collection pages" as described in the post
2. Create the collection pages as a layer between category and product pages

Then, customize the category/collection pages as described for maximum SEO benefit.

Lastly, choose one specific product page in one specific category and make it "canonical." Then, use the rel=canonical tag on all of the pages for that product in other categories so that the tag will point to the canonical version. You should be good to go!

[dsingh1079]

My site as below:

www.sitename/city name/ category 1- In category we have products listed.. Lets assume Product1 , product 2 and so on.www.sitename/city name/ category2 - product 2, product 3 and product 4..

Each category have separate URL, title, metas. We are targeting each category in city and want to rank with them..Across cities we do not have any issue. We have issue within a given city where product are overlapping in categories.

What is best solutions??

Thanks,
Darshan..

[SamuelScott]

I presume that your site is something like this?

www.example.com/london
www.example.com/paris
www.example.com/new-york

If so, then you are correct to avoid duplicate-content issues and make each page as unique (and useful!) as possible. For example, each page could include a Google Maps address and directions, the local weather, and local news. Companies that have offices in various cities can write about what specifically is done at each location -- for example, marketing might be in London, sales might be in Paris, and so on. Perhaps include photos of the people at each office. List local prices. Be as creative as possible.

As far as categories, I presume you are asking whether to do this:

www.example.com/category-1/london
www.example.com/category-1/paris

or this:

www.example.com/london/category-1
www.example.com/london/category-2

To be honest, there is no set answer. It depends on the keyword research, the content, the vertical and industry, and many other factors. Can you clarify your question?