7 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}
7 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}

[Silo Structure] Sub-Silo or New Site

by agmccall
6 replies
  • WEB DESIGN
    • |
Hello All

I have been doing a lot of reading on Silo Structure Websites and am currently building one with Wordpress Using a free tutorial and some free plugins and it is coming out better than I expected.

The question I have is can, and how many, sub silo's to have in a site. For Example lets talk about a dog trainging site.

I would create several silo;s as follows, "House Training" "Basic Commands" maybe "Large Dog" or "Small Dog" (I don't know anything about dog training and am not building a dog training site, this is just an example) Now the question One of my Silo's would be "Hunting Dogs" Withing the Hunting dog Silo there are different category/silo's that should be there. "Pointer", "Retriever", "Versatile", "Duck", "Rabbit Hounds", etc. etc.

So, in a silo structure is it ok to set these up as sub-silo's of "Hunting Dogs" or would it be better to do a new site just dedicated to the training of "Hunting Dogs" The same question could be applied to a MMO site and the main silo being "Affiliate Marketing" with sub-silo's being "Clickbank" "Amazon" "Commission Junction" etc. etc.

Thank You

Al
#silo #site #structure #subsilo
  • Profile picture of the author affilliate-script
    Originally Posted by agmccall View Post

    Hello All

    I have been doing a lot of reading on Silo Structure Websites and am currently building one with Wordpress Using a free tutorial and some free plugins and it is coming out better than I expected.

    The question I have is can, and how many, sub silo's to have in a site. For Example lets talk about a dog trainging site.

    I would create several silo;s as follows, "House Training" "Basic Commands" maybe "Large Dog" or "Small Dog" (I don't know anything about dog training and am not building a dog training site, this is just an example) Now the question One of my Silo's would be "Hunting Dogs" Withing the Hunting dog Silo there are different category/silo's that should be there. "Pointer", "Retriever", "Versatile", "Duck", "Rabbit Hounds", etc. etc.

    So, in a silo structure is it ok to set these up as sub-silo's of "Hunting Dogs" or would it be better to do a new site just dedicated to the training of "Hunting Dogs" The same question could be applied to a MMO site and the main silo being "Affiliate Marketing" with sub-silo's being "Clickbank" "Amazon" "Commission Junction" etc. etc.

    Thank You

    Al

    There are disadvantages with sub-silos

    They place the supporting articles 4 levels deep

    The navigation becomes confusing, compared to having the straight-forward 3 levels deep structure:
    home page
    silo
    silo supporting articles
    Signature

    Automatic WordPress Silo Site Plugin and Theme Packages (siloplugin.com)

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8977749].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Istvan Horvath
    I would't advise either to go too deep into silo levels...

    Although it never should be decided based on some stupid "rules" that some self-appointed gurus came up with. Silos shouldn't be done for the sake of silos: it is about a logical organization (structuring) of your content.
    Signature

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8979430].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author affilliate-script
      Originally Posted by Istvan Horvath View Post

      I would't advise either to go too deep into silo levels...

      Although it never should be decided based on some stupid "rules" that some self-appointed gurus came up with.

      Russell and Sue won't like that!
      Signature

      Automatic WordPress Silo Site Plugin and Theme Packages (siloplugin.com)

      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8980178].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author Kevin
        Originally Posted by Istvan Horvath View Post

        I would't advise either to go too deep into silo levels...

        Although it never should be decided based on some stupid "rules" that some self-appointed gurus came up with. Silos shouldn't be done for the sake of silos: it is about a logical organization (structuring) of your content.
        Originally Posted by affilliate-script View Post

        Russell and Sue won't like that!
        I agree with Istvan on the "I wouldn't advise either to go too deep into silo levels..." and "it is about a logical organization (structuring) of your content." but I have to question how else Istvan would recommend structuring data/content if not using silos/folders when you have a website that covers a broad spectrum of topics on the same theme?

        I also don't see that he was referring to Russell & Sue when he mentions "self-appointed gurus" ... but I may be wrong?

        Their silo plugin structures WP page content into silos and silo categories and then you have the ability to add posts as supporting articles for the silo categories ... if you want to add them. Personally I don't see how this is going too deep and I also can't see how this deviates from what I would consider 'standard' design/structure principles? - As a note, I have worked on ecommerce and information sites that have needed much deeper categorization than just three levels.

        The reality is that Google are treating websites that have their data structured in a logical manner as having more authority than websites that don't.

        The reality is that users/visitors find it easier to locate additional information within a site that has a logical structure (i.e. you don't expect to find information on a car website relating to 'engine components' in the section that deals with 'interior trim' ).

        As the web and search technology changes and 'improves', those site owners that have taken the time to structure their 'high quality' website content will continue to see benefits that those who don't wont.
        Signature

        Work with the web or get swallowed by it!
        1000's of smart marketers use arpReach for their contact management and email marketing

        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8980503].message }}
        • Profile picture of the author affilliate-script
          Hi Kevin,

          It is a personal preference of mine to blueprint all new sites with a 3 levels deep architecture

          If I ever find myself thinking that 4 levels would be needed, I go back to the keyword tree and find a less broad keyword phrase further down the tree

          I've always thought of 4 levels deep silo architecture as being a repair job on a site that is populated with unfocussed content

          I've point-blank refused to release a 4 or 5 levels deep wordpress silo plugin - even though we've got them both developed - such are my misgivings about deep siloing

          I never miss an opportunity to get a dig in at Russell
          Signature

          Automatic WordPress Silo Site Plugin and Theme Packages (siloplugin.com)

          {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8980929].message }}
          • Profile picture of the author agmccall
            Thanks for all the responses I am now more confused than before, but, I will figure it out

            al
            Signature

            "Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work." Thomas Edison

            {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8981966].message }}

Trending Topics