I am planning to create inbound links for my website to connect product pages with category pages. However, I am unsure if this will have a positive impact since some of the links are already included in breadcrumb and menu. For instance, if I have a carpet listed in the "classic carpet" category, and the category's link is already shown as a tag, would it be beneficial to also include it in the text content, or should I create new links?
It’s generally a good practice to include inbound links from product pages to their category pages, even if those links are already present in breadcrumbs or menus.
Here’s why:
- Improved User Experience: While breadcrumbs and menus are helpful for navigation, they are not always readily visible to users. Adding an explicit link within the content helps users easily navigate back to the category page, especially if they are looking for similar products.
- SEO Benefits: Search engines recognize the relationship between product pages and category pages. Adding an extra link strengthens this connection, potentially improving the ranking of both the product and the category page.
- Increased Engagement: A well-placed link can encourage users to explore other products within the category, leading to increased engagement and potentially higher sales.
Even if you have a link in the menu and breadcrumbs, having an additional link in the text content of the product page can help:
- Provide context: The link within the content can provide additional context about the category, making it clearer to the user why the product belongs in that specific category.
- Improve internal linking: Creating more internal links improves the website’s structure and makes it easier for search engines to crawl and understand the site.
Ultimately, the best approach is to strike a balance between natural and clear link placement. Don’t overdo it, but make sure your users have easy access to the relevant category page through multiple means.