Site Reference Forums

GP Michal · 2008-02-15 10:58:40

Hi everyone,

I have a question concerning the use of "/" after a directory.

I am currently in the process of researching my current URL's on all my interior pages to see if I can optimize them to be more key word-orientated. I have quite a few URL's that may be able to stay just as they are now (without the "/" at the end - http://my-home-page.com/interior-page) I know that if one leaves off the "/", the browser will automatically add it to the URL by default. That being said, I once read somewhere (perhaps right here on Site-Reference) that it's good practice to always use the "/" at the end of the URL when you want to direct someone to the index.html page that resides in the interior page directory. Even though I know it's not necessary to do this (because the browser will add it by default) my question is:

Is it worth the effort to change existing URL's that are going to stay just as they are with the exception of not having the "/" at the end of them? i.e. - should I change http://my-home-page.com/interior-page - to - http://my-home-page.com/interior-page/

If it's definately recommended to make the change, I will have to deal with the 301 redirects. If not...I won't have to fool with it.

Waddya say out there???

GP

Last edited by GP Michal (2008-02-15 11:00:02)

Steven_A_S · 2008-02-15 14:57:09

I can't imagine that it would make much of a difference. That said, I do have mine set up to include the slash ( / ) because I've become used to seeing it that way.

Northie · 2008-02-15 17:04:39

There are no SEO benefits to it

The simplest way to describe it (although not exactly proper) is to say that "/" is the file extension of a folder.

griffinsbridge · 2008-02-16 05:48:42

There is one reason to always use / at the end of a directory link.

If you're using modrewrite, mysite.com/MyDirectory/ is different to mysite.com/MyDirectory
you'll get a 404 (or possibly even a 500) error if you forget to add the / in your links AND in you htaccess file

I forsee G getting narked at modrewrite one day and algo'in out all directory structures forcing a / when MyDirectory/index.[*] returns 404. Due to this theory, I try to preempt with a modrewritten index.html (with a 301 to the directory root) in my htaccess.

GP Michal · 2008-02-16 09:49:52

Thank you for all of your comments. It sounds like the best thing for me to do is add the "/" to the end of any URL's that I'll be keeping as-is. I'll be sure to include the trailing "/" on any new URL's I create while restructuring my directory.

Thanks again...

GP

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Site Reference Forums

#1 2008-02-15 10:58:40

To "/" or not to "/"

#2 2008-02-15 14:57:09

Re: To "/" or not to "/"

#3 2008-02-15 17:04:39

Re: To "/" or not to "/"

#4 2008-02-16 05:48:42

Re: To "/" or not to "/"

#5 2008-02-16 09:49:52

Re: To "/" or not to "/"

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