changing site content and design (Full Version)

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dpf -> changing site content and design (1/8/2005 13:53:37)

I'm looking for opinions/experience: What is the impact, vis-a-vis SE ranking, of dramatically changing the design and content of a site, assuming:
1. all page names remain the same - no new pages added, none deleted and no name changes
2. assume that the new design is more SE friendly than the prior - xhtml/css based with no Flash, java, etc vs FP theme based.
Thank you in advance.



Giomanach -> RE: changing site content and design (1/8/2005 14:10:59)

Not sure if Joe will agree with me on this one, but:

Generally there is a natural drop in your position in the SERPS and PR after changing content. Design doesn't fall into it, that's just there for the GUI to the end user. After a while, your position in the SERPS may put you nearer the top, and your PR may change (up or down), dependant on how SE friendly the pages are.

HTH

D



BobbyDouglas -> RE: changing site content and design (1/8/2005 19:37:07)

In the long run, it will be better. The dramatic changes will be unknown.

At least we all know Joe is the one with the best answers [8D]



Mojo -> RE: changing site content and design (1/9/2005 0:02:07)

As long as the content is still in the same genre as the previous content you should have no problems. It certainly will not harm PR as you have explained it. I purchase 2 or 3 sites each month and almost always change the content immediately. I once changed a toy site into an auto accessory site and was ranking within 2 weeks for terms in a *completely* new category. I also made some fairly dramatic changes to another site and went from the mid 20's to #6 in a moderately competitive term in a fortnight.

Your mileage may vary...



dpf -> RE: changing site content and design (1/9/2005 10:29:17)

quote:

Your mileage may vary...
lol..



Mojo -> RE: changing site content and design (1/9/2005 13:56:47)

quote:

lol..


<grin>Yeah, I had to add that little proviso....</grin>



paulie -> RE: changing site content and design (1/9/2005 21:00:21)

Are search engines/robots extension-specific?

I have a site that I will be updating and adding some server-side functionality to.

If I update the content and change the page file extension from .htm to .asp, should I add redirects from the original .htm pages? The extension is the only part of the filename that will change.



jaybee -> RE: changing site content and design (1/10/2005 5:25:57)

I'll be intruigued to hear the answer to that one. I assumed that the extension would make a difference.

I'm in the process of doing the same thing except I've used php. I've got round it by telling Apache to parse all htm pages for php so that I don't have to change the extension.

I have no idea whether you'll be able to do something similar on your server.



Mojo -> RE: changing site content and design (1/10/2005 11:15:41)

quote:

Are search engines/robots extension-specific?


Yes. example.html is a different page than example.asp (just like a browser treats it).

If your moving your pages permanently you *could* do a 301 redirect to the new pages, but be warned that you may lose ranking during this process. Personally, I would do what jaybee has suggested and have the extensions mapped server side. This way you can run the .htm pages as .asp.



dpf -> RE: changing site content and design (1/10/2005 11:24:02)

quote:

Personally, I would do what jaybee has suggested and have the extensions mapped server side.
..not available on all makes and models
<edit>hehe</edit>



jaybee -> RE: changing site content and design (1/10/2005 13:30:06)

True. Up until recently one of my hosts did and the other didn't but, I can now get at Apache on both of them.

I've found more an more Unix hosts are using Fantastico so you can maintain your own environment without them having to pitch in.



Mojo -> RE: changing site content and design (1/10/2005 14:35:23)

If your not able to map htm to asp I would simply make the new pages, keep the old pages and create all new content for the new pages. You only need a 15% to 18% change in the page content to avoid a duplication penalty. Building the new pages will give you more chances to rank in the SERPs and will strengthen internal PR.



paulie -> RE: changing site content and design (1/11/2005 12:51:19)

Thanks Joe!



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