Should I have Configurable or Simple products from an SEO point of view?

[eyeman]

We currently have around 5-10 colour/size variations per product on a configurable page and were thinking of changing to Simple Sku so that we have more product pages and will rank for each colour variation other than just the generic product. However with configurable products we could enable product reviews which would mean that we get more reviews on one URL as opposed to a less reviews on multiple URLs for color variants. Also, we are thinking that we will get more links and traffic to one page rather than multiple pages of the same product as well as time spent on that particular page. What is the consensus on what is better for SEO on this?

Many Thanks

[Nigel_Carr]

Hi Tej

I am an eCommerce specialist and come across this question all the time.

It is far better having one core product with colour and size as attributes feeding off the one page. You then have, for example, a simple non-colour specific URL with the colour and the size as drop downs or swatches that the potential customer can choose from.

Doing it this way you can focus all of your writing efforts in producing a block of keyword rich and contextually strong product description. You do not need to think about the colours which may well come in and out of stock.

By doing it this way you don't split the ranking across the 5 colours (say) weakening every one of them in SERPS (Search Rankings) Imagine having to write 5 different descriptions to describe the colour variations. Yes!, it just ain't going to happen!

One super strong page with colour and size as attributes will outrank any other. With a bit of luck, your competitors will be doing it the one page/one colour way and you will smugly outrank them!

You will never rank well for one colour one page variation. The reason is that they are 90% the same content with only the colour, different. There is one thing that Google hates and that is duplication and while there is no physical penalty you are asking Google to choose one of the variations - the result is they rank none of them highly!

I hope that helps

Nigel

Carousel Project.

[Christy-Correll]

Hi Tej,

Nigel has provided you with a very thoughtful answer. Have you read it yet? What did you decide? We'd love an update, thanks!

Christy

[eyeman]

Hi Nigel,

I was on holiday and completely missed your response.

Thank you so much for taking the time to respond, it is exactly what I wanted to hear.

The only issue i have seen is that I will not rank 1st for the colour searches eg 'product name' black. how do I get round that?

many thanks

eyeman

[Nigel_Carr]

Hi Tej

Maybe spend some time looking at how many times people search the term brand/product/colour - From my experience, it is extremely low and the benefit of the higher ranking on the broader term massively outranks the slight drop you will experience not having colour in the title.

I have tested this with so many clients now - it really is the only way to go.If in doubt go look at Zappos!

Best of luck!

I'd love to hear how you get on.

Nigel

[eyeman]

Perfect thanks Nigel!

I'll keep you updated

[eyeman]

Hi Christy,

I have read the response from Nigel. We have decided to go for configurable pages and have multiple product variants on one page as Nigel mentioned. Advice was much appreciated.

Thanks

[Nigel_Carr]

Hi eyeman - I think what Chrisy means that if that was the best answer please hit the 'Best Answer' button - all contributors like to see that, it's a confirmation of our valuable (and free) help  

I'm so glad you are going this way - you won't regret it!

Best Regards

Nigel

[Christy-Correll]

Yes, this is exactly what I mean, Nigel! Marking an answer as "Best Answer" also rewards the contributor with MozPoints and marks the question as "Answered."

[Christy-Correll]

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