Keyword Landing Page Transition

[rhawk]

We are redesigning the site to launch soon.

We are a manufacturer. Our most valuable keyword currently ranks around 8th on Google in a competitive market and responds with a link to our product selection page as the landing URL. This link / URL is currently listed on every site page in a right column menu with the keyword as the anchor text.

My concern is that I have redesigned this product selection page, and would like to change its file name to include the keyword as well as use the same keyword anchor text.

And to complicate the matter, for political reasons my boss has asked me to consider keeping the old product page available to alleviate board concern (not rational, but may be required).

Since the old page shows similar information to the new selection page, if I keep it,  I am considering calling it a "Visual Selector" as opposed to the "Product Selector" menu name for the new page. I will list both in a list under the keyword product name on the home page menu and then drop the old selector page link on all other pages to lower visitor confusion.

So the alternative choices to proceed are as follows:

1. Keep old and new product selection pages

a. Show both on all page menus (Keeps the old page visible to Google, duplicating the current presentation for current keyword landing page)

b. Only show old product page on home page menu to alleviate the Board concerns (Keeps the old page visible to Google, but with one link)

2. Get rid of the old product page and redirect URL to new one (our primary keyword would be ranked on its own merit and the current Google ranked page would redirect to the new one)

Number 2 is the logical method for users, but I am nervous about dropping and/or redirecting the current landing page which ranks my best keyword at 8th in a competitive market.

Your recommendations or comments? What do you predict Google will do in these three scenarios? Hope you can follow this maze...

Thanks!

• George

[3Amigos]

Hi George,

I would choose Option 1a.

I think the 'Board concerns' are valid ones - I assume that any loss of business could be very detrimental to the company, so the Board are rightly nervous about these changes... If they weren't, I'd be nervous !

By introducing the new product page along side the old one (with an explanation of what you are doing), regular visitors to the site will get the drift of what is going on & the changes they can expect to see. They will feel valued as you are keeping them informed of the site changes too.

I would also monitor the clickthrus on both the old and new product pages, and when you and the Board are happy that the users of the site have adopted the new Product Page you can begin to phase the old one out.

Best,

Chris

[rhawk]

Thanks, Chris...

ps - the board's concerns are not for SEO, although I have put the fear in them about potential serp drops too!

Do you feel a redirect would cost ranking or are you just playing it safe?

[3Amigos]

Hmm, regarding the re-direct, I honestly don't know... I will defer to other members who may be reading this and ask for their suggestion...

C

[rhawk]

I believe my question focuses down to which is the safest path:

1. Never change file names on an established keyword landing page

2. Remove existing page and redirect to new improved landing page

3. Keep both until new one ranks as high in spite of some visitor confusion