Too many footer links?

[neooptic]

Hi. We're working on http://www.gear-zone.co.uk/ at the moment, and I was wondering what's everyone's opinion on footer links. There's quite a lot on the page, and I was wondering if there might be a few too many.

If so, what would be the best plan of action? Remove them altogether, stick them in an iframe or in a bit of JS so they can't be crawled?

Thanks!

[RyanKent]

I would recommend removing most of your footer links. All the ones under the Category and Stock headings specifically. You already offer every one of those sub-sections in your main navigation bar.

I try to keep with the idea what is best for my users is best for Google. If you do some analytical study on those links, I am willing to be they are hardly if ever used. The only way I would consider keeping them is if I learned my users were actually using them.

[EGOL]

Wow!  Those are really tiny links!  And the font is messy on my monitor. I agree that you need to do something.

What are the goal of these links?

If they are there because you think people need them then run CrazyEgg and you will probably discover that nobody is clicking them.

If they are there for SEO reasons then maybe you need to think about a navigation structure that will accomplish your goals and place them in a more prominent location.

If they are there for both SEO and people then for sure make them more prominent.

This could be a problem of how to make an SEO strategy incorporate nicely into a design.

[RAN_SEO]

You have to understand that footer links are not a bad idea for themselves, but it is important that you don't stuff it - and you did.

I would recommend that you get rid of the brands links - instead I would place a few links with logos for the most known brands that you have. dont forget the ALT. (now I see that you have this above the footer - isn't it enough?)

Second, I would get rid of the duplicate links that you have in the category section in the footer - for example, you have the link "Men's Waterproof Jackets" both under men and under clothing.

Then I would start to think about the links - do I need all of them or can i just settle with the main categories and few subcategories.

This should cut out at least 60%-70% of the links, and then you should be fine..

[neooptic]

Thanks guys. You've confirmed what I suspected. A trim is definitely needed!