Should I use individual product pages for different formats of the same product?
-
Hi All --
I'm working with a publishing client who is launching a new site. They have a large product catalogue offered in a number of format types (print, ebook, online learning, packages) with each one possessing a unique ISBN code. From past experience, I know that ISBN codes can be a really important ranking factor.
We are currently trying to sort out product page guidelines. The proposed methods are:
- A single product page for all formats. The user then has the option to select which format they wish to purchase. The page would contain all key descriptors for each format, including: individual ISBN, format, title, price, author, etc. We would then use schema mark-up just to assist search engines with understanding and crawling. BUT we worry that the single page won't rank as well as say an invidual product page with a unique ISBN in the URL (for example: http://www.wiley.com/WileyCDA/WileyTitle/productCd-0470573325.html)
Which leads to the next option...
- Individual URLs for each format. We understand that most e-commerce guidelines state you shouldn't dilute link equity amongst multiple pages with very similar products and descriptions. BUT we want searchers to be able to search by individual ISBN and still find that specific format within the SERPs. This seems to rule out canonicalizing, because we don't prefer one format over the other and still want say the ebook to show up as much as the print version.
If anyone has any other options or considerations that we haven't thought about, it would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
U
-
No, I would not. In fact, I just signed two new online product companies for SEO, and I'm taking them away from different product pages for each variation of the product. Here's why:
(1) Confusing Google not good.
You will confuse Google all to death if you have 4 different product pages for your BOOK. One for online, one for ebook, hardback, paperback, etc.... You need to be clear on which page you want Google to land when I search for "the best book ever"(2) Risk Duplicate Content
By putting the same book/product/service description on each variation page, you risk being tagged for duplicate content. Again, this upsets Google. Don't do that.(3) Lack of Content Depth
You will get tired and burned out on writing details on all those products, you will cut corners, and your content will end up being short or non-descriptive. Better to write one very long product/book/service page and have buttons that allow customers to add the variations into their cart from that page. In this way, this particular page will have deep content, images and everything else Google loves, and it won't be confused one bit on what you are trying to rank for.I've got my work cut out for me on fixing these two product pages, so at some point I'll have to follow up and share the results on my little scientific experiment. My money is on my theory. Bet yours is too!
-
I agree with the other poster, just use one url for each product, don't create pages for each variation. The content will be a nightmare to try to write, especially from the time > gain aspect of things. One option you have is using a shebang to determine which product is selected in the page. Something like
Link to hardover book
Link to paperback
site.com/book-name.html#!paperback
Link to ebook
site.com/book-name.html#!ebook
ect.
That would be what I would recommend to a client and have them use. Then you can canonicalize at the url without the shebang, but still offer the variations and have links to the variations.
-
There are a few things I would take into consideration before deciding to implement individual product pages for different formats of the same product.
Next to the arguments you mention for not using individual product pages for different formats of the same product, I see a few more:
- To prevent duplicate content issues, you will need to invest more in content creation (only 2 options per product will already double the costs)
- It is not easy to create truly unique pages for different formats of one product
- Link juice and social signals will be spread over more pages and for that reason diluted
- People expect to see all different formats of the same product on one page. You have to find an intelligent way not to loose 'ebook customers' who enter the site via the 'hard cover page'.
There is however one strong argument for using multiple URLs for different formats of one product:
- Every extra page you create is a SEO opportunity. The more pages you have the more keywords you can target.
One last remark on ISBN numbers: Is the search volume on ISBN numbers high enough to target your SEO efforts on these?
Got a burning SEO question?
Subscribe to Moz Pro to gain full access to Q&A, answer questions, and ask your own.
Browse Questions
Explore more categories
-
Moz Tools
Chat with the community about the Moz tools.
-
SEO Tactics
Discuss the SEO process with fellow marketers
-
Community
Discuss industry events, jobs, and news!
-
Digital Marketing
Chat about tactics outside of SEO
-
Research & Trends
Dive into research and trends in the search industry.
-
Support
Connect on product support and feature requests.
Related Questions
-
Should I even do product page schema?
If I have no reviews/ratings on the page itself and special/limited time offers and just a regular product page with a standard price, is there any ability to do product schema with it getting flagged for errors? Google's Structured Markup Testing Tool threw me an error when I test it without any of those: | One of offers or review or aggregateRating should be provided. | And even if it's possible, is there any point?
Intermediate & Advanced SEO | | SearchStan0 -
Page Authority
Hi We have a large number of pages, all sitting within various categories. I am struggling to rank a level 3 for example, or increase authority of this page. Apart from putting it in the main menu or trying to build quality links to it, are there any other methods I can try? We have so many pages I find it hard to workout what the best way to internal link these pages for authority. At the moment they're classified in their relevant categories, but these go from level 1 down to 4 - is this too many classification levels?
Intermediate & Advanced SEO | | BeckyKey1 -
How to create AMP Pages for product website?
How to create AMP Pages for product website? I mean we can create it easily when we have wordpress through plugin, what about when we have millions of pages, It would be too tedious to create amp version of every page. So, is there any alternative way to create amp version?
Intermediate & Advanced SEO | | sachin.kaushik0 -
Base copy on 1 page, then adding a bit more for another page - potential duplicate content. What to do?
Hi all, We're creating a section for a client that is based on road trips - for example, New York to Toronto. We have a 3 day trip, a 5 day trip, a 7 day trip and a 10 day trip. The 3 day trip is the base, and then for the 5 day trip, we add another couple of stops, for the 7 day trip, we add a couple more stops and then for the 10 day trip, there might be two or three times the number of stops of the initial 3 day trip. However, the base content is similar - you start at New York, you finish in Toronto, you likely go through Niagara on all trips. It's not exact duplicate content, but it's similar content. I'm not sure how to look after it? The thoughts we have are:1) Use canonical tags 3,5,7 day trips to the 10 day trip.
Intermediate & Advanced SEO | | digitalhothouse
2) It's not exactly duplicate content, so just go with the content as it is We don't want to get hit by any penalty for duplicate content so just want to work out what you guys think is the best way to go about this. Thanks in advance!0 -
Is it OK to Delete a Page and Move Content to a Another Page without 301 re-direct
I have a page "A" that I want to completely delete and move the written content from A" to page "B". Since I am deleting "A" (not keeping page) is it OK to upload the content from "A" to page "B" and search engines will give "B" credit for the unique content? Or, since the content has already once been indexed on "A", "B" may struggle to get full credit for this new unique content, even though page "A" is deleted?
Intermediate & Advanced SEO | | khi50 -
Rel canonical on every page, pointing to home page
I've just started working with a client and have been surprised to find that every page of their site (using Concrete5 CMS) has a rel=canonical pointing to their home page. I'm feeling really dumb, because this seems like a fatal flaw which would keep Google from ranking any page other than the home page... but when I look at Google Analytics, Content > Site Content > Landing Pages, using Secondary Dimension = Source, it seems that Google is delivering users to numerous pages on their site. Can anyone help me out?! Thanks very much!!
Intermediate & Advanced SEO | | measurableROI0 -
Problem appearing 1 st with a sub page when typing my company name and product
I just did a test typing my company name followed by what I sell
Intermediate & Advanced SEO | | seoanalytics
Let's say "company green widgets " I noticed that my webpage ( which is a subpage ) doesn't appear 1 st on google when i type that keyword.... Either some website that talks about my product appears or my homepage appears. Why is that ? Could it be a canonicalization issue ? Thank you,0 -
Should I use the main keyword in the title tag for the site on all category pages?
I am pretty excited about changing all my title tags (for the most important 7 pages) since I have seen my rankings jump up in the SERP just by adding the main keyword for my website in the title tag. To make it easier I will explain my business. Simply, I run an online jewelry shop, so basically the keywords I want to use is "Jewelry online" and for the main categories "Necklace", "Rings" and "Bracelets". What I am unsure about is whether to use all the keywords in the main pages title tag or should I just use the main keyword "Jewelry online". I don’t want to create competition between my own pages of course. Jewelry Online - Trendy Fashion Jewelry | Homepage Or Jewelry Online - Necklace, Rings, Bracelets | Homepage And the same goes for the main categories, should I include "jewelry online" or not, like: Bracelets - Fashion Jewelry Online | Homepage Or Bracelets - Trendy_ Bangles_ and Arm Cuffs | Homepage Any suggestions what is the best practice for the title tag on main page and the main categories? Thanks
Intermediate & Advanced SEO | | ikomorin0