Ranking for specific pages

[RyanKent]

A few suggestions:

• dont use /apples.htm as your URL. Use /apples instead. The .htm extension offers no value to users nor search engines and there are some negatives such as changing the URL unnecessarily requiring a redirect if you move to a php page or other technology.

• "apples" is one specific and ultra-competitive keyword, whereas "fresh apples" and "buy apples" are a bit more specific. "Buy apples" also offers a very clear intent. If your goal is to attract traffic for those terms I would suggest making a more specific page such as /buy-apples or /fresh-apples.

The best recommendation I can offer is to carefully research the keyword focus of your web page. Ask yourself "why am I adding this page to my site?", "what keyword can I focus and earn #1 ranking for (or close)?" and "what action do I want a visitor to take on my site?" Once again "buy apples" offers a very clear intent.

[younus]

Ryan - Thanks for much detail explanation. currently, my website pages are built on .htm and hosted on PHP server. What do you suggest, shall I redirect all pages with 301,  like apple.htm, buy-apples.htm with /apples, /buy-apples etc.

1. If I have many categories of apples like Green Apples, Red Apples, Australian apples shall I create a folder for apples like /apples/buy-apples, /apples/buy-green-apples etc..

2. This question is related to services: I m offering window cleaning services in many US states covering all the cities.

State:Texas
City: Aledo
City: dallas

State:Arizona
City:Care Free
City: Paradise Valley

Offering services in each city are, window cleaning, janitorial cleaning, duct cleaning etc. Shall I create a directory path like
/Texas/Aledo/window-cleaning or Texas/Aledo/aledo-window-cleaning
/Texas/Aledo/janitorial-cleaning or Texas/Aledo/aledo-janitorial-cleaning

and Same as for other states, what is the best directory path I need to choose from.

Please suggest me the best practice. Thanks for your valuable time.

[RyanKent]

I would not necessarily perform a redirect on an existing URL solely to remove the technology extension. Going forward on any new pages, I would recommend making the change. If you either make other URL changes or later recognize most pages use the tech-free extensions, then you can adjust the remaining pages.

Your folder structure depends on your site, the content it offers and the actions you wish users to perform on your site. One possible method would be as you suggested going with /apples/red and /apples/green. I would only use this method if you felt it would be helpful to users as a category. Another method which may be preferable is simply /red-apples and /green-apples.

With respect to the janitorial examples, again it depends on how much content your site offers and how it can be best presented to meet your goals. Are people more likely to search for your site by area? Or by service?

[younus]

Both area and Service.

[RyanKent]

I think I have reached the amount of assistance I can offer working with generic information. Can you share your site URL and a few example pages?

[younus]

Hi Ryan,

Here is the URL: http://www.cleanitsupply.com/t-Janitorial_Supplies_New_York_City.aspx

1. I need a suggestion from you, please help.

How should be the Directory/URL structure if I am offering services in many cities of US.

/<service>/
/<service>/<state>/
/<service>/<state>/<city>/

OR

/<service>/
/<state>/<service>/
/<state>/<city>/<service>/</service></city></state></service></state></service></city></state></service></state></service></service>

2. What exactly URL enforce writer to rewrite the URL without redirection.

Thanks for your time.

[RyanKent]

What exactly URL enforce writer to rewrite the URL without redirection.

This answer varies based on your server type. This question can best be answered by your web host or developer.

How should be the Directory/URL structure if I am offering services in many cities of US.

This answer can vary based on several factors such as how much content you have available for each city, do you have physical locations in each city, etc.

I notice many positive aspects of your site. You use McAfee for SSL, an "excellent" Stella rating, accept payments from both PayPal and Google Checkout, offer social engagement, etc.

A few opportunities to improve:

• your home page offers over 400 links. Find a way to drop the number to 100.

• your home page offers a lot of text which will likely never be read. Perhaps move some content to another page.

• your text small seems quite small. You may want to make it larger and/or offer a widget to do so.

[younus]

Yes we have physical location on Google and on Yellow pages too. Now , what you suggest the URL structure

/<service>/<state>/<city>/  OR /<state>/<city>/<service>/</service></city></state></city></state></service>

/<service>/<state>/<city>/  OR /<state>/<city>/<service>/</service></city></state></city></state></service>

[younus]

@Ryan - Yes we have physical location on Google and on Yellow pages too. Now , what you suggest the URL structure

/<service>/<state>/<city>/  OR /<state>/<city>/<service>/</service></city></state></city></state></service>

[RyanKent]

You are seeking a fast and easy reply. There is not one. The right answer requires analysis of your niche and site.

The quickest answer I can offer is...determine how your site's visitors are most likely to locate your site. Are people most likely to look for Cleaning Supplies then look for a local location? Or are people more likely to look at their local location, for example Chicago businesses, then look up cleaning supplies.