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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

          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

            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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