How to make a SILO site structure
Making a site user-friendly and understandable for visitors, as well as optimized for search engines is the task of every SEO specialist. One of the key elements influencing these factors is the site structure. Today we will talk about how to make a site structure according to the SILO method in order to improve its position in search engines and increase traffic.
What is a SILO structure?
The SILO site structure is a technique for organizing content on a site in which each page has its own place in a hierarchical structure. It involves the creation of thematic sections (blocks), within which there are pages related to each other by subject and semantic meaning.
Before the introduction of the SILO structure, the site looks like a chaotic cluster of various pages. Take a look at this jar of balloons, for example, and think about how search engines will perceive it.
In such conditions, it is difficult for the search engine to understand what topic the site is dedicated to. To simplify the task, the content should be divided into different groups, then the search engine will more accurately recognize each of them.
For this to work within a single site, the content must be on a common topic, but broken into thematic subcategories. To do this, groups of pages on the site need to be interconnected by internal links.
What are the benefits of the SILO website structure?
Improved SEO optimization. Search engines understand the structure of a site better when it is organized according to the SILO methodology. This allows you to attract more traffic to the site. We are told about this by a study conducted by Bruce Clay “SEO Siloing: How to Build a Website SEO Siloing“. Summary of the results of the study
SILO structure improves website SEO performance by creating a clear and logical structure.
Requires careful planning of the site, as well as an understanding of keywords and topics that are relevant to the target audience.
Improves UX by making it easier to find the right content
Simplify navigation for users. Thanks to the thematic structure of the site, it is easier for users to find the information they need. This improves the usability of the site and reduces bounces. And as we know from the recent leaks from Yandex failure rate is one of the important behavioral factors. The lower the failure rate, the better.
Better distribution of link weight. When all the pages of a site are related to each other by topic, the link juice is distributed more evenly between them.
How to make a SILO website structure: step by step guide
Break the site into thematic blocks. Determine the main topics that are presented on your site, and create a separate block for each topic.
Create a page hierarchy. In each block, define a master page (root) that will link all other pages within the block.
Create an internal link. Within each block, link all the pages to each other. This will allow search engines to better understand the structure of your site and index your pages faster. It will also make navigation easier for users to quickly find the information they need.
Use keywords. For each block, determine the main keyword that will be most relevant to the topic.
Specific example
It is important to understand that although this is a specific example, it is still an example. Of course, this site has more pages.
Let’s say you have a website for car repair, and you want to create a website structure using the SILO methodology. In this case, you can divide the site into the following thematic blocks:
Engine. In this block, you can collect all the pages related to car engine repair, such as “Engine Diagnostics”, “Cylinder Head Repair”, “Replacement Timing Kit Replacement”, etc. The main page for this block will be the “Engine Repair” page.
Chassis. In this block, you can collect all the pages related to the repair of the gearbox and drive of the car. This may be the page “Replacing suspension parts”, “Replacing the stabilizer bar and bushing”, “Replacing the arm, swingarm”, etc. The main page for this block can be the “Undercarriage Repair” page.
Electrician. In this block, you can collect all the pages related to the repair of car electrics, such as “Electrical system diagnostics”, “Battery replacement”, “Generator repair”, etc. The main page for this block can be the Electrical Repair page.
Each block should include several pages related by topic. Inside each block, you need to use internal linking to link all pages to each other by topic. For example, on the “Engine Repair” page, you should insert links to other pages from the “Engine” block, such as “Engine Diagnostics” and “Oil and Filter Change”.
Red arrows indicate linking within the same level, black arrows within the same branch
Opposition
It is worth noting that there are those SEO-specialists who believe that the SILO site structure is not effective. For example, in the Ahrefs study “SEO Silo Structure: Why It Makes No Sense” says that it often makes sense to put a link from one page of a particular block to another in another block. But as soon as we do this, we will lose the SILO structure.
Briefly about other methods of structuring the site
Clusters or hubs
In this structure, all pages are located in their own hubs (clusters) and are linked between similar services in another hub.
Arrows of different colors indicate the linking of similar pages, for example, the “Transmission Repair” page, which belongs to the “Transmission” hub, is also linked to the “Repair” hub.
Pyramid or tree
The advantage of this structure is that the pages themselves are quite rigidly fixed in the hierarchy, but still can link to any other pages if the link is appropriate.
The most popular structure in my opinion, in fact it is similar to SILO in many ways, but in this structure the pages are linked primarily in meaning and logic. If the previous types of structures can be automated, then this one can only be done well by hand.
Although I recently tried one plugin for WP, it is based on chatGPT and itself offers to put a link if it finds a suitable page on the site. But it still works far from perfect.
Chinese site structure
Live meme, just legendary funny sites, for Europeans, of course.
In China, the structure of a website is often designed in such a way that most of the pages are linked to the main page. This is due to the fact that the Baidu search engine gives the most weight to links from the main page.
Here is an example site – https://www.sina.com.cn/
Please note that these are all links.
Conclusion
Creating a SILO website structure is one of the key practices in SEO website optimization. This structure has its drawbacks, but also quite a few pluses. Its main advantage is its rigid structure.
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