Just a heads-up: even though you think you’re only using one URL for your website, search engines may see that your site uses a number of URLs which creates what the techies call a “canonical” issue – which can weaken your SEO strategy and positioning.
For instance: www.awarenesscreation.com is my website URL. However, IF I had a canonical issue (which I don't!), search engines would see that my website used the following additional URLs:
Awarenesscreation.com
Awarenesscreation.com/index.html
http://www.awarenesscreation.com
If you have a canonical issue, search engines interpret the situation as using duplicate content, which is an SEO No-No. Even if you don’t have duplicate content, Search engines will penalize a website as though it has duplicate content if you have a canonical problem.
And, if you’re backlinking to a variety of URLs (especially from valuable, authoritative sites) your inbound linking strategy is also going to be weakened which will prevent you from getting top Google search positions.
How to Repair a Canonical Issue & Improve Your SEO
Your website developer or hosting company can help you fix this problem:
1. Select the URL that want to consistently use as your website’s URL.
2. Create a 301 redirect from all URLs to your selected (canonical) URL.
Chipping away at Repairing SEO No-Nos
SEO continues to be important for your business development, reputation management, and online effectiveness. By repairing your canonical issue, you’ll have one less SEO No-No to worry about.
Of course, you’ll still have plenty of other issues lurking around the Web that can sabotage your SEO Strategy and keep you from out in front of the competition; but you can always get in touch with Awareness Creation to help you chip away at those SEO No-Nos!
Happy SEO-ing!
Carole
Great information here - I've had plenty of clients come to me and simply refuse to get rid of their several websites with the same content that have different urls. They simply don't understand they're undermining their own company.
ReplyDelete//Jenn @ the Chicago SEO Firm
Jenn - I feel your frustration! There's so much to SEO and every tactic counts. Clients just don't realize how important it is to listen to their SEO Pros - like you! (BTW - I'm always looking to collaborate with other SEO firms - keep me in mind!)
ReplyDelete