Absolute Or Relative Links?, Does it matter if my links contain the entire site name? Options

[MiamiRon]

I'm updating my website and would like to know if it matters if I use absolute or relative links?
For example href="page.html" or href="http://www.mysite.com/page.html"

I like the _idea_ of using absolute links since my URL contains my keywords, and thus more opportunities to include it in the page.

Secondly, some of the navigation links don't use the keywords, but the href text and page names do- any benefit?

[saschaeh]

if it matters if I use absolute or relative links?

No, search engines automatically convert relative links into an absolute link.

I like the _idea_ of using absolute links

the only neg about absolute, they say, is that it is extra unnecessary code. Whether it is big enough to really worry about in most cases is negligible... *shrug

navigation links don't use the keywords, but the href text and page names do- any benefit?

Im not sure i totally understand?

If you are saying: Link: Click Here VS Link: Keyword-1. Hmm there are some debates but i think it is more important to have supporting text. So where the link is coming from and going to and the keywords in the content on each end. To answer your question yes it does but im not sure it is big enough to have SE tactic around it.

All the best!

This post has been edited by saschaeh: Nov 8 2007, 12:44 AM

[MiamiRon]

If you are saying: Link: Click Here VS Link: Keyword-1.

Right- It's for my astrology website and the link says "Consultation services" as opposed to "Astrology Consultation Services" (because the latter is long and won't fit with the other nav items). But the href code has the absolute link, which contains the word 'astrology at least twice (e.g. miamiastrology.com/astrology-services.php).

However, if I thought it would make a Huge difference then I could possibly remove one of the nav links so that I could include the keyword in the link.

I'll post the link to the site tomorrow night after I launch it (after the New Moon )

[AbleReach]

However, if I thought it would make a Huge difference then I could possibly remove one of the nav links so that I could include the keyword in the link.

Are you saying that a highly desired destination is not in the top level of your navigation structure? If so, figuring out how to integrate it into your top level nav may make more difference than a keyword or two. If you don't want it in the top level nav, per se, you can add it via a little highlight link someplace in the header or a sidebar.

Good luck with your new site!

[kensplace]

Using relative links can make your site easier to move to another domain, or for reuse of code on other projects, as the links are not domain specific, just placement specific.

Upside can be less work moving code or sites, and less bandwidth (only a little bit per link, but if you have loads of links it can add up), downside can be its less work for someone to copy your site, as they dont have to alter the url's to their own domain name....

[saschaeh]

The other thing about absolute links is that there is less chance of contingency when you move pages as kenplace pointed out.

In terms of your links, i wouldnt worry about adding the keyword into the link. Will look clumsy. If the link is part of an article or something then it doesnt put anything out of place so in this case id put it in.

Wishing you all the best for your launch let us know how it goes!

And welcome to cre8! Its a good place to be.

[MiamiRon]

Are you saying that a highly desired destination is not in the top level of your navigation structure?

"Constultation services" is in the top level nav.

thanks for your input!