Re: Entry pages (was: WebCatalog MAJOR drawback)
This WebDNA talk-list message is from 1998
It keeps the original formatting.
numero = 17020
interpreted = N
texte = >Hi, > >This was a fairly long thread a while back...and I'd like to hear from >those who've created entry pages using [writeFile] or other methods to >create product pages that are searchable/listable with search engines. > >In particular, any success stories? tips, advice? links to example pages to >view? > >I'm creating entry pages for our online store -- one for each product >category -- and would love to hear about what others have done! (using >simple context search -- see http://www.me2u.com/GiftStore/Entry/rings.tmpl >). >Thanks, > >Dale Stokdyk >dstokdyk@dvs.mv.comDale,>From what I understand about most search engines, they will not follow the links contained on the page you list above. This is because of the arguments you pass in your url (everything past the .tmpl is ignored). Only the info in rings.tmpl would be indexed. If that's all you're looking for, then you are ok.If you want to create more detailed, search-based entry pages for your store, you need to go one step further down the tree. Create a template for each category which contains search contexts to display the contents of that category.So your file hierarchy would look like this: rings.tmpl marriage.tmpl [search] returns keyword1, keyword2,...,keywordN or detailed description poesy.tmpl [search] returns keyword1, keyword2,...,keywordN or detailed description decor.tmpl etc.The one exception to this rule that I have seen so far is Lycos, who appears to index sites including arguments passed in the URL. This is great for indexing Webcat-driven sites, but also has the unfortunate side effect of re-indexing your site every time Lycos revisits your site when CART arguments are passed (we have about 35 listings for our home page in Lycos right now).The solution to this problem is to use [showif browsername^Lycos] and assign a special cart number to matching browsers (thanks Grant). This gives Lycos a consistent cart# and you will only be indexed once. You can also do a showif based on IPADDRESS, but that may be a bit harder to keep track of.Makes you think twice about using add-to-cart and purchase contexts using hrefs instead of forms, doesn't it? :)If you want to learn more about search engines, I would highly recommend Search Engine Watch at http://www.searchenginewatch.com/ . I learned boatloads about search engines by spending a couple hours reading the articles here.As for example pages, I'm still researching and thinking about the best way to approach it. Some search engines use keyword meta tags; others ignore meta tags entirely and only index visible text and titles on the page. So making a good entry page takes more than a little forethought...I'm also still fighting (waiting, really) for Yahoo to list our new site. I have submitted twice in the past 2 months and have gotten no response or listing. According to some reports, people can submit for over a year and STILL never get listed in Yahoo. What a great club to be in...:|
Good luck, and may your search results be many.-Dale ________________________ ___________________________ | Dale LaFountain | mailto:dalel@dhorse.com | | MIS Director,WebMaster | http://www.dhorse.com/ | | Dark Horse Comics, Inc.| Phone: 503-652-8815 x324 | \________________________|___________________________/
Associated Messages, from the most recent to the oldest:
>Hi, > >This was a fairly long thread a while back...and I'd like to hear from >those who've created entry pages using [writefile] or other methods to >create product pages that are searchable/listable with search engines. > >In particular, any success stories? tips, advice? links to example pages to >view? > >I'm creating entry pages for our online store -- one for each product >category -- and would love to hear about what others have done! (using >simple context search -- see http://www.me2u.com/GiftStore/Entry/rings.tmpl >). >Thanks, > >Dale Stokdyk >dstokdyk@dvs.mv.comDale,>From what I understand about most search engines, they will not follow the links contained on the page you list above. This is because of the arguments you pass in your url (everything past the .tmpl is ignored). Only the info in rings.tmpl would be indexed. If that's all you're looking for, then you are ok.If you want to create more detailed, search-based entry pages for your store, you need to go one step further down the tree. Create a template for each category which contains search contexts to display the contents of that category.So your file hierarchy would look like this: rings.tmpl marriage.tmpl [search] returns keyword1, keyword2,...,keywordN or detailed description poesy.tmpl [search] returns keyword1, keyword2,...,keywordN or detailed description decor.tmpl etc.The one exception to this rule that I have seen so far is Lycos, who appears to index sites including arguments passed in the URL. This is great for indexing Webcat-driven sites, but also has the unfortunate side effect of re-indexing your site every time Lycos revisits your site when CART arguments are passed (we have about 35 listings for our home page in Lycos right now).The solution to this problem is to use [showif browsername^Lycos] and assign a special cart number to matching browsers (thanks Grant). This gives Lycos a consistent cart# and you will only be indexed once. You can also do a showif based on IPADDRESS, but that may be a bit harder to keep track of.Makes you think twice about using add-to-cart and purchase contexts using hrefs instead of forms, doesn't it? :)If you want to learn more about search engines, I would highly recommend Search Engine Watch at http://www.searchenginewatch.com/ . I learned boatloads about search engines by spending a couple hours reading the articles here.As for example pages, I'm still researching and thinking about the best way to approach it. Some search engines use keyword meta tags; others ignore meta tags entirely and only index visible text and titles on the page. So making a good entry page takes more than a little forethought...I'm also still fighting (waiting, really) for Yahoo to list our new site. I have submitted twice in the past 2 months and have gotten no response or listing. According to some reports, people can submit for over a year and STILL never get listed in Yahoo. What a great club to be in...:| Good luck, and may your search results be many.-Dale ________________________ ___________________________ | Dale LaFountain | mailto:dalel@dhorse.com | | MIS Director,WebMaster | http://www.dhorse.com/ | | Dark Horse Comics, Inc.| Phone: 503-652-8815 x324 | \________________________|___________________________/
Dale LaFountain
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