Re: Real URLs *do* change
- From: "T.J." <no1@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Wed, 5 Nov 2008 09:57:45 -0000
"Guy Macon" <http://www.GuyMacon.com/> wrote in message news:KIKdnXxCXohBbI3URVn_vwA@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
T.J. wrote:
"Guy Macon" <http://www.GuyMacon.com/> wrote...
Andrew Heenan wrote:
"Guy Macon" <http://www.GuyMacon.com/> wrote ...
My point is that changing a URL *for the sake of it* is a risky endeavor,
and should be avoided.
Of course URLs sometimes *have* to change, and a 301 is a very effective
way
of minimising damage. It is, of course, not a guarantee that there will be
no damage.
If you disagree with this, then go to any forum and search for "301
redirects", and you'll find endless tales of disaster, many mitigated by
301s, many describing damage, at least transient damage, despite 301s.
I did the search, and found nothing persuasive -- just speculation.
If you have a specific forum you wish me to examine, let me know.
There is also the damage of losing directory entries (many will simply
delete forwarding URLs)
Do you know this to be true, or is the above just speculation?
I run an online directory, periodically check links and
will often delete them if they are re-directing.
That's an interesting claim. Why would you think that a particular
web page was worth including in your directory under one URL, but
suddenly decide that the exact same page was not worth including
just because the site owner reorganized his website and now has
the exact same content at another URL? That does not seem to make
sense.
Because I don't know if it is the same page as they originaly submitted
also, I display the URL as the anchor, if it isn't going to the place
displayed it can make me look bad.
I don't delete all, but if it is going to a page where the description
doesn't tie in with what is on my page, or if the business name is
completely different I remove the link (not the whole listing)
It is then up to them to contact me if they want it reinstating.
I went to your online directory ( http://www.uksmallbusinessdirectory.co.uk )
with the intention of test 20 or 30 of your links for 301 redirects.
( I looked under "Website Designers" and to make sure that the businesses
had an online presence):
http://www.uksmallbusinessdirectory.co.uk/cat_count.asp?strBusinessCatergory=Website%20Designers
Most of the listings do not have links to external websites, just
postal addresses and telephone numbers. The one that had a link
(and a big banner ad) was Webexpand, and it did return a 200 and
not a 301. Looking around at several other catagories, I found
no links at all.
That is because I try to make my directory different to most others.
The clue is in the name, it's a business directory, not a web directory
The idea of it, is to send genuine customers to the businesses who
register with me and not to just be used as a way of getting links.
It does actually provide links to approx 1500 of the businesses
listed and I have a page set up which I can use for checking to
make sure links aren't dead, are still genuine or aren't redirecting
to wrong pages.
Looking farther, I found this page:
http://www.uksmallbusinessdirectory.co.uk/submitbus.asp
Which says that "A free listing allows you to display your
company name, contact details, and a brief description of the
services/products you provide. No websites or email addresses
are displayed with free listings." followed by an offer to sell
them a paid listing at 30 or 50 UK pounds a year.
I also note that your terms and conditions page...
http://www.uksmallbusinessdirectory.co.uk/terms-and-conditions.html
Has no mention of deleting a link if it has a 301 redirect.
Considering the fact that all the links in your directory are
paid links, and that deleting them because they have 301 redirects
would seem to be defrauding your customer by not providing the
service they paid for, I am having a lot of trouble believing
that you delete links simply because a site owner reorganized
his website and set up a 301 redirect to the new URL.
Very few links in my directory are paid links, and those
that are are predominantly there to send traffic to the
sites rather than link juice
As I said earlier I try to run it as a business directory
not a web directory.
You must have missed this line on my terms page,
"We reserve the right to edit details, change page
layouts and delete entries at any time."
I don't just delete links when it is reorganized if
everything still looks genuine, but if there is any doubt
or I think it might confuse anyone I do.
Don't get me wrong, I don't regularly check but maybe
once or twice a year I will, not deliberatly setting out
loking for redirects, mainly checking the links are still active.
.
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