What to name your file path?

Posted by Laura Bergells

April 12, 2007

When it comes to search engine optimization, what should you name your file path? You know — your folder and file names?

I have three easy-to-implement recommendations –

1. Use all lower case words or phrases. Separate words by hyphens.
Keep it short! Longer phrases start to look spammy. And some engines and directories have trouble handling upper case file paths, so keep it all lower case.

2. Be consistent with whatever extension you use (.htm, .html, .php, .asp., etc)
It doesn’t matter which extension you use. Just pick one and make it consistent throughout your site.

3. When possible, use your targeted keyword phrases in your URL.
This doesn’t make much sense for pages like “about.htm” or “contact.htm”. But if you are optimizing for, say, “Blue Widgets”, then you will want to use something like oursite.com/products/blue-widgets.htm

These three easy tips do more for you than mere search engine optimization. They are also attractive to the eye and to your site visitors.

Bottom line: Keeping your file paths short, descriptive, and consistent helps everyone who comes in contact with your site.