Choosing a URL for your blog post
$400,000 cars always appeal
It is slowly sinking into my sometimes Neanderthal-like brain that the URL you choose for your webpage (or blog post title) has a distinct bearing on it’s visibility to the search engines. Picking something witty and clever is a waste of time. The search engines don’t do “witty.” In fact, I sometimes wonder if they do “factual,” either, but that’s for another, “inspired rant.” That term by the way, I stole from Amy at Write From Home.com. She stole it from a lawyer, and anything stolen from a lawyer is fair game as far as I’m concerned. Amy enjoys never setting an alarm clock and not wearing a bra to work – both of which work for me.
Anyway, back to the URLs. As I thought about naming this post, I came up with things like: “naming your babies,” and “witty rejoinders for blog posts.” Neither of which are likely to have any impact on the search engines. At best, I will have a lot of visitors annoyed at the fact that this is not the correct place to help them choose a name for their latest bundle of joy. Or bundle of puke-and-green-excrement-producing, kiss goodbye to the rest of your life. Depending on your perspective. So, I settled on this name. Descriptive, should appeal to the search engines – I hope.
Here are a few others I have produced in the past. This one, “Irish Investors crying in their beer,” I thought was particularly clever. 
No, not really, too witty, didn’t get a lot of traffic and, at the time, I wondered why. So, I learned. This is one of my more recent attempts: “Rolls Royce Phantom Coupe Redefines Luxury.”
I think I have it right with this one. It has all the keywords I want. Rolls, Royce, Phantom Coupe, Luxury. In fact there is only one word that is not an appropriate keyword. I am keen to see what others think. Take a look at the post and tell me what you think. I would also welcome any suggestions. What would you have named this URL|? Also, if you have been particularly clever with one of your recent posts – leave a comment and tell us about it.
Andy MacDonald | March 11th, 2008 at 1:45 pm #
Another interesting, and funny!!! post Mark. I have to agree, that URLs are one of the most important aspects of blogging. I always make use of the post-slug feature of wordpress, so i can call my post what i like, yet i can have the URL of that post something more suitable to the search engines.
For example, a recent post of mine is names 20 tips to increase blog readership - This is very attractive to people, yet not attractive to search engines.
The URL for my post was increase-blog-readership - a keyword which is much more likely to be searched for via people, therefore very attractive to search engines.
It has yielded great results for me both in terms of the amount of people looking at the article, and also the amount of referrals from the search engines to the post.
For those interested, the post can be seen at http://swiftmediauk.co.uk/blog/index.php/2008/03/06/increase-blog-readership/
Mark Knowles (Post Author) | March 11th, 2008 at 2:03 pm #
Thanks Andy - I learn something new every day
Like your post by the way.
May | March 11th, 2008 at 2:37 pm #
I’m not sure I am all that clever with titling myself, but I have been feeling better about it since I started using this Emotional Marketing Value Headline Analyzer.
It provides instant feedback of how interesting a headline will be AND what part of a person it attracts (intellect, emotional, spiritual). I like it a lot and it’s helped me to tweak my titles in ways I wouldn’t have thought of: changing verb tenses and just switching words around can have a surprising impact, I’ve found.
Mark Knowles (Post Author) | March 11th, 2008 at 3:16 pm #
May - That tool has been instantly added to my toolbox. Thank you
Internet Marketing Joy | March 11th, 2008 at 4:54 pm #
Another insightful and clever post from MArk..^^..Keep it up man!
Andy MacDonald | March 11th, 2008 at 5:38 pm #
Thanks for listing that tool May, i too have added that to my toolbox and bookmarked it. Very interesting indeed!!
Jesse Sherer | March 11th, 2008 at 7:37 pm #
That was money…. You are now crowned king of the blog
Mark Knowles (Post Author) | March 11th, 2008 at 7:55 pm #
Thanks Jesse. I will wear it with pride - the crown that is.
Manish | March 12th, 2008 at 3:44 am #
Its amazing how you mix humor and knowledge and sheer info together.Thanx.Another great one.
Mark Knowles (Post Author) | March 12th, 2008 at 6:09 am #
Thanks Manish - I appreciate the comment
InfoDoorway | March 12th, 2008 at 9:53 am #
Excellent article and tips! I’ve noticed that when I search for a specific phrase that the sites with that phrase in the title of their post is what’s ranked highest in the engines. Now I try to make my posts from a searchers perspective to an extent - a title that not only is interesting to the repeat visitor but will be more likely to be a searched term.
auto parts mom | March 12th, 2008 at 2:32 pm #
Yes you need a very “catchy” titles and tags for the readers but need more specific for search engines.
Amy Derby | March 12th, 2008 at 3:54 pm #
Nice usage Mark.
Enjoyed the post. Too bad the search engines don’t do witty. Or smart.
Mark Knowles (Post Author) | March 12th, 2008 at 3:56 pm #
They barely do factual, but maybe one day?
Amy Derby | March 12th, 2008 at 4:08 pm #
I doubt it.
Mark Knowles (Post Author) | March 12th, 2008 at 4:11 pm #
Yeah, I doubt it too, but a boy can hope
Lee | March 14th, 2008 at 1:49 am #
Exactly. As a blogging naif but more experienced at making websites, I’d have to say that “sinking into my…brain” is just how I felt when I realized that blog titles and blog URLS were, well uh… just the same thing as when you publish a web page. You live, you learn. Great blog post, and thanks for making me feel less dumb.
Mark Knowles (Post Author) | March 14th, 2008 at 3:48 am #
Hehe - My pleasure Lee - part of the problem also - is the amount of regurgitated poor advice out there. Much of it is just repeated rubbish in the hope of selling you an ebook. Sure - some of it is good advice, but when you are learning it’s extremely difficult to tell the good advice from the bad.