Linking

[Mike]

Hi there,

Would anyone please tell me if it's better to link like:

this, http://www.yoursite.com/page2.html

or

like this, page2.html


Thanks,
Mike

[Chris]

Nothing can go wrong with option 1, since you're expliciting giving the address.

With option 2 you can run into issues with search engine friendly URLs, or when making pages that exist in directories. It isn't likely, though it is possible, that a robot could get confused.

Mostly the problems are rare and minor, but if you have to choose always write out complete URLs.

One side benefit of this is that if someone rips your site and republishes it they'll have to change all the links, sometimes they forget to change one or two and then if you monitor your logs you'll see referrers and can catch them. I've noticed rips a couple times cause of this.

[Mike]

Ok, thanks for all info Chris...

I am half way through doing this site, and I have been going along with option two. Do you think I should go back and change everything?

Thanks again,
Mike

[Chris]

I would.

[Mike]

Ok, thanks:)

[delpino]

the problem with long url is that you cannot test your scripts locally on your own server installed on your computer..

[Chris]

Yes, that could be a problem... I personally don't do any local testing though. I lease two servers for a reason.

[delpino]

which reason? :)

[Chris]

Well lots of reasons, I just find it easier to upload something and test it than to test it locally.

[delpino]

but this means a lot of upload orgies.. :)