javascript menus bad for seo? - Page 1

User 474020 Photo


Registered User
19 posts

Since I have had the website up using the javascript menu, the search engines are not finding other pages on the domain.

So I added all of the links at the bottom of each page using the ul tag in html.

Now the search engines are starting to find them.

I would love to hear some feed back on this.

The script menus are real cool (and very appealing to "newbies"). But initial thought is they are not search engine friendly.
User 364143 Photo


Guest
5,410 posts

I personally would not rely on javascrpt or flash as the only means of navigating a website. Some people disable these in their browsers and you always have the SEO and accessibility issue. I like to use CSS rollover menus if I'm not using alternative means to navigate menus.
CoffeeCup... Yeah, they are the best!
User 474020 Photo


Registered User
19 posts

Hey Tom,

I am using both. The javascript is at the top and then I am using the ul/li tags for the bottom.

The problem with the ul/li is that I have for example one parent and three subs. So right now I have added them as individual links. I would love to learn how to do the css, so that when I hover over a parent the subs would show, etc.

Can you give me a crash corse or point me in the right direction>

My sight is www.uwearusa.com
User 355448 Photo


Ambassador
3,144 posts

Chris,

Something else you can do for the search engines is to submit a list of all the pages you want searched to Google. Google has a feature where you can enter a site map either as an XML file (generated by a program such as the CoffeeCup Site Builder) or a text file that you build. Check out Google Webmaster.

The Google (and other bots) cannot find their way via the javascript menus, but you can put a set of links on the side or bottom of your site pages, and use a single line to call a single file and then editing your menu followed by editing your other nav file is simple, and all your pages are done.

I have small to mid sized sites, and would not want to edit each page when I add something to the site.
User 364143 Photo


Guest
5,410 posts

Chris, here is a link that may get you started.

http://www.alistapart.com/articles/horizdropdowns
CoffeeCup... Yeah, they are the best!
User 625650 Photo


Guest
12 posts

I do agree with Chris, you can include a sitemap page in your site, it will help SE to crawl your site easily
User 355448 Photo


Ambassador
3,144 posts

Chris,

Something I ran across yesterday while checking browser security at Steve Gibson's site. He has a nice looking menu that is done without javascript or flash.

If you want to check it out, his site is www.grc.com and checkout the menu demo page http://www.grc.com/menudemo.htm to see if you like it. The menu has drop downs and being CSS you can style it the way you want.
User 462238 Photo


Registered User
144 posts

User 130978 Photo


Ambassador
3,025 posts

Here's another good link for some CSS menus on Dynamic Drive:

Oddly appears in edit...but not in post...
Trying another way... dynamicdrive.com/style/

http://www.dynamicdrive.com/style/

Have something to add? We’d love to hear it!
You must have an account to participate. Please Sign In Here, then join the conversation.