Naming Files For SEO

The most basic technique of search engine optimization for any website is by naming the relevant files correctly depending on your keywords and your content. Every professional Search Engine Optimization company knows the importance of file names. It is now very clear that filenames are very crucial for search engines like Google.

While creating a content, it is important that you create a content map. You should know what files should be attached to your website like image file, videos, eBooks etc. However make sure you give these files relevant filenames.

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Often when you type a keyword in the search box. The search engine provides you with results that are linked to different type of file names such as video, pdf, images etc. The files show up within these results due to their file name, description, titles. So make sure to include keywords in them.

File Naming Style:

It is advised that you keep your file names short, simple and informative. Experts recommended to include same keywords in your page titles and filenames.

Do not use filenames such as services.html or page1.html as they add no value to our website. You should add keywords that are relevant to your business for example, web designers in India, SEO service in Seattle or Jewellery shop in Pittsburgh.

Make sure to separate your file names with hyphens rather than keywords also avoid using more than four words in your filenames, using two keywords in your filename would be great for optimization purpose.

Examples for File Name:

Following are some of the examples for file names in terms of user experience as well as Search engine optimization.

Levis-men-jeans.html
Levis-women-jeans.html
Levis-Kids-jeans.html

You must have noticed that rather than underscores, hyphens are used to separate the words. This is how google scans your filename

Levis-men-jeans.html translated to Levis men jeans = Good

Levis_men_clothing.html translated to levismenjeans = Bad and unreadable

File Extension:

You may have noticed that web pages come with different file names such as .html, .htm and .php. When it comes to on-page optimization these extension carry only little value. It doesn’t have any SEO or ranking value. Rather than hidden these extensions through few settings. Coders prefer to keep it that way.

Many webmaster prefer and advice to create filenames/url without an extension. This is type of link is clearer to the users. However, it may have only little value to your webpage.

Sub-Directory Name of URL:

If we are talking about Search Engine Optimization then URL sub-directory name does not matter. When user makes search, search engine does not list any sub-directory name matching to the entered keywords. However, when it comes to user experience then it is probably recommend the you incorporate sub-directory name in your web pages.

Tips from SEO Expert:

Consider the following point to name your file appropriately:

• Keep the file name of your web pages simple, short, descriptive and relevant to content posted on the page.
• Keep your web page filename short up to 3-4 words and make sure that same keyword is used in titles, descriptions and the filenames.
• Avoid underscore and use hyphen between your words while naming a file.
• Use shorter filenames for your sub directories.
• Limit the file size to be less that 101K because Google doesn’t like anything above that limit. This will reflect on your ranking.
• Having the right filename can greatly reflect on your search engine marketing results. So follow the above mentioned results and improve your online visibility.