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Sidebar question Wordpress

by thecableguy
4 replies
  • SEO
    • |
Does it matter which side the sidebar is on for a Wordpress site?

From what I understand with a HTML site that isn't css optimized the searchengines will read the page's sourcecode from top to bottom, meaning placing the sidebar on the left would force the main section further down the page.

I normally use no sidebar or one that's on the right, but I saw a template I like with the sidebar on the left. I was wondering if this would make a difference. I see that semiologic uses it on the left or maybe that was just the template style I looked at.

Thanks
#question #sidebar #wordpress
  • Profile picture of the author bgmacaw
    It is generally considered to be better to have the content toward the top of the page, as you mentioned, but this isn't absolutely critical. The 3 major search engines' algorithms have become quite good at separating content from other page elements.

    Also, by clever use of CSS, it's possible to have a left side column appear after content or even have a 3 column layout where the center content comes first. Take a look at this example: 3 Col Content first example
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    • Profile picture of the author thecableguy
      Originally Posted by bgmacaw View Post

      It is generally considered to be better to have the content toward the top of the page, as you mentioned, but this isn't absolutely critical. The 3 major search engines' algorithms have become quite good at separating content from other page elements.

      Also, by clever use of CSS, it's possible to have a left side column appear after content or even have a 3 column layout where the center content comes first. Take a look at this example: 3 Col Content first example
      Yeah it was kinda big a FEW years back, I remember a few people selling HTML templates that used css to make it more searchengine friendly. But css escapes me

      Thanks
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  • Profile picture of the author actionplanbiz
    some say thats true. google reads from left to right, from the top down. so having your side bar on the right helps to go along with this concept.
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  • Profile picture of the author shaggard
    I think it greatly depends on what you want to put on the sidebar. Personally, I think links go on the right and searches and calendars go better on the left.
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