Question

I'm considering changing link structure to domain/florida/services-in-city from current structure of just domain/services-in-city I currently have good SEO rankings, if I change to new structure will I lose my current rankings? I will do 301 redirects but I don't want to risk losing SEO rankings

Answer 1

I wouldn't have Florida OR city in your URL. It's a bit risky, especially for the future. Just incorporate content that's relevant to those locations, like testimonials, case studies and area guides.  

Comments

@vanda I have multiple service in many cities in Florida but now expanding to different states and cities.  

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@seamanlike I still would never advise using location in URL. (12 years in SEO)

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I have many years in SEO as well and first time I've ever heard someone say that before

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@vanda how do you do the url for a domain with numerous locations? Can you give an example please? I was under the impression that domain. com/city was fine.  

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@seamanlike if you've got premises in that location, bit different. I thought you meant you were targeting locations just because you served them.  

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Why no location in URLs?  

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@vanda What if we have location based pages for GMB, how would you create the url having similar services in multiple location without adding location name?  

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@vanda also curious why you advise against using a location in the URL.  

Answer 2

I have sites with 500+ rank 1 in serps using the structure you have mentioned. If you need advice on how to make these pages in mass and unique, give me a shout Go for it  

Comments

@latvian I have 25 citie pages and 15 service pages I click 1 button I have 375 pages

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Lots of #1 positions that I don't want to risk by changing link structure

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@seamanlike you can change the structure and 301 the pages to the new ones. Or keep the old ones, and make new ones with the new structure, without duplicating the old ones if you think it’s too much of a risk to lose the rank

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But saying that, I even have sites with rank 1 and 2 in the serp for location as we have made new pages and the clients old one is still ranking

Answer 3

Do it, but with a brand new domain so you can AB test against yourself. Why risk good rankings on a hunch, maybe or what if? I did something similar around 15 years ago. Regretted it immediately. Never really recovered from it emotionally