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  4. Keywords in file names vs folder names

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Keywords in file names vs folder names

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  • wcksmith
    wcksmith last edited by Jul 1, 2011, 12:18 PM

    We understand the value of a keyword phrase included in the URL.  Is there more value to having that phrase in the folder name of the URL or the file name or does it matter?

    Example:

    http://www.biztoolsone.com/website-design.php

    or

    http://www.biztoolsone.com/website-design/

    Which is best?

    Thanks,  Wick Smith

    1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
    • RyanKent
      RyanKent last edited by Jul 1, 2011, 1:39 PM Jul 1, 2011, 1:37 PM

      The short answer is, it does not matter.

      The recommendation I would make is to use what some people refer to as "technology-proof" URLs. Drop the file extension. Why?

      • it looks cleaner and nicer to users

      • it makes it a bit harder (more work) for someone who wants to hack your site as they are unsure of your page's language

      • it gives you the flexibility to change technologies without requiring a new URL (from html to php for example)

      The only difference between your URLs then would be the trailing slash. It is a matter of personal preference but I add the trailing slash to indicate a folder, and no slash to indicate it is a file.

      Matt Cutts has a couple videos on URLs and file names which you may enjoy:

      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gRzMhlFZz9I

      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=971qGsTPs8M

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