Renaming Pages yet Worried about Search Engines

technica · #1 (**permalink**) 02-07-2004, 12:04 AM

Hello all. When I was using Frontpage, (erRRR) I had very stupidly given my files names like: Unreal Tournament 2003 Strategy Guide, thus making URLs look like this:
http://www.technicalgeek.com/800%20x...e%20Review.htm

I am using Dreamweaver now, and I would like to update all of my file names. Since Dreamweaver is my best friend, it will change all the references to the page so they will redirect to the newly named page. The thing is, I am worried about search engines. If I rename a quarter of the page on my site, aren't search engines going to get screwed up?
The thing is, its really about time I updated these file names. I have a feeling that in the long run they will only cause me more problems.
Any thoughs...? :)

carbonize · #2 (**permalink**) 02-07-2004, 01:35 AM

Use a .htaccess if your host supports it. http://www.carbonize.co.uk/Webdesign/htaccess.php will explain it better. If not use meta refreah on the old pages with an explanation.

technica · #3 (**permalink**) 02-07-2004, 09:42 AM

Ok, so I would use .htaccess for URL redirection?
I am on ipowerweb, but I don't know if they support htaccess file editing.

minstrel · #4 (**permalink**) 02-07-2004, 10:17 AM

I actually prefer to use meta refresh - it works for search engines and it provides better informatyion about the changes to your visitors.

For each page you've renamed, substitute a small re-direct page with the same file-name:

Put this in the <HEAD>... </HEAD> section:
<META HTTP-EQUIV="REFRESH" CONTENT="10;
URL=http://www.yoursite.com/newpage.htm">

and change the <body>...</body> part to this:

http://www.yoursite.com/oldpage.htm has moved!

Remember to update your bookmarks to:
<a href="http://www.yoursite.com/newpage.htm">
http://www.yoursite.com/newpage.htm</a>.
<BR.
If your browser supports "Client Pull", you will be automatically taken to the new site in 10 seconds.

Otherwise, please click on the link below:

<a href="http://www.yoursite.com/newpage.htm">
http://www.yoursite.com/newpage.htm</a>

technica · #5 (**permalink**) 02-07-2004, 01:41 PM

So Minstrel, I would do a save as for each of the pages, and make them my new name. Then for the old ones, I would delete everything and just put in this meta stuff you are talking about?
Thanks for the help..

minstrel · #6 (**permalink**) 02-07-2004, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by technica

So Minstrel, I would do a save as for each of the pages, and make them my new name. Then for the old ones, I would delete everything and just put in this meta stuff you are talking about?
Thanks for the help..

Yes, except it's not all "meta stuff" - to be more specific, your redirect pages will look like this:

Code:

<HTML>
<HEAD>
<TITLE>This page has moved</TITLE>
<META HTTP-EQUIV="REFRESH" CONTENT="10; 
URL=http://www.yoursite.com/newpage.htm"> 
</HEAD>
<BODY>
http://www.yoursite.com/oldpage.htm has moved!

 
Remember to update your bookmarks to: 
<a href="http://www.yoursite.com/newpage.htm"> 
http://www.yoursite.com/newpage.htm</a>.


 
If your browser supports &quot;Client Pull&quot;, you will be automatically taken to the new site in 10 seconds. 


 
Otherwise, please click on the link below: 


 
<a href="http://www.yoursite.com/newpage.htm"> 
http://www.yoursite.com/newpage.htm</a>
</BODY>
</HTML>

Just substitute your domain name for "yoursite.com" and the new page names for "newpage.htm".

technica · #7 (**permalink**) 02-07-2004, 08:36 PM

Thanks Minstrel... I will get right to doing that... :)

adore · #8 (**permalink**) 02-08-2004, 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by minstrel

I actually prefer to use meta refresh - it works for search engines and it provides better informatyion about the changes to your visitors.

Minstrel, isn't meta refresh recognized as spam by google?
I've heard several times, that Google doesn't like it (because it is very useful for creating doorway pages).

minstrel · #9 (**permalink**) 02-08-2004, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adore

isn't meta refresh recognized as spam by google? I've heard several times, that Google doesn't like it (because it is very useful for creating doorway pages).

If that's what you're using it for, search engines probably won't be happy but this is something different - the old page no longer exists and you are simply letting visitors and spiders know that. I've done it several times for different reasons and never noticed a "penalty".

technica · #10 (**permalink**) 02-08-2004, 10:46 AM

Ok one more question... :)
Now that I am renaming my pages, I am going to move their actual folder locations, thus creating a new hierarchy.
I was already using a different format for all of my pages, which looked something like this:
www.technicalgeek.com/Games/dod/dod.htm
This worked out fine, but when I had to do extensive editing on my files, it was a bit annoying since everything was in a different folder.
Should I put all of the renamed pages into the current structure (above), or make a new one like this:
www.technicalgeek.com/games/dod.htm
With this method, all my reviews are in one directory separated by type, (accessories, hardware, games, cheats, etc.) This sounds like a good idea, but then would I go in and change all of the files that follow the current decent structure? Even though they are fine, would I need to change them to this new structure? I guess it’s a matter of consistency, but if from now on if I just use the new structure, I should be fine… Right?
Thanks for the help…

matauri · #11 (**permalink**) 02-08-2004, 11:47 AM

If you want some tips on organizing your directory structure (pathways), have read thru this thread & see how others do it. http://www.webproworld.com/viewtopic.php?t=13014

Might help you decide.

Cindy

minstrel · #12 (**permalink**) 02-08-2004, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by technica

Now that I am renaming my pages, I am going to move their actual folder locations, thus creating a new hierarchy...

www.technicalgeek.com/games/dod.htm

With this method, all my reviews are in one directory separated by type, (accessories, hardware, games, cheats, etc.) This sounds like a good idea, but then would I go in and change all of the files that follow the current decent structure? Even though they are fine, would I need to change them to this new structure? I guess it’s a matter of consistency, but if from now on if I just use the new structure, I should be fine… Right?

technica -

With any medium to large site that is logically organized into subsections, anything which helps you keep the files straight is probably the best system for you. So if you are already making filename changes, this would be an good time to make directory changes now that make more sense to you and make it easier for you to keep the site updated.

You could follow the procedure I suggested above for making page name changes, and if you're doing that it isn't any more difficult to change the directory name as well as the file name in the redirection page.

If all that seems like too much work, the alternative is to use the .htacess file to redirect, assuming you are on a server which supports that (UNIX/Linux Apache servers basically).