another page title question

I would go with what you have, as most sites like Yahoo, DMOZ, NetInsert, etc. use that format: top > 2nd level > 3rd level

I really like this navigation (if each level is clickable) since it's easy to understand and easy to jump around to different levels.

Now, if you are thinking about using these for page titles, I have one recommendation: Don't.

The reason is that someone looking at your listing in a search engine does not need to see your navigation structure. Aand your titles will have very little that people are serching for (home page? Main gallery? Karen who?), and your pages will be harder to find.

Use the results of your scored keyword research, and make all your titles and descriptions with as many keyword phrases as possible, as long as they also describe what the page is about.

By the way, anyone that would like to see an example of a clean and well-designed web site should take a look at Karen's. It's http://www.cardinalart.com/.

Ok, in re-reading your post I realize a script was going to be generating the titles. If you did this, it would be better from a SEO standpoint to reverse the order, so the most specific thing for the page is first.

I still cannot recommend that you do that.

If you are using a template or script to display the pages, then you have a number of options for good SEO results...

Thanks so much Christian!

I'm writing the scripts myself so it's no problem to have the title bar display whatever page titles I need. I'm currently using the same thing for the title bar that I am for my breadcrumb trail. That's why the structure is like that.

I do know a few of the keywords I'm targeting, but I'll go do some more keyword research (haven't done any for a year), so I can see how far off I am.

btw: I still have to set the description and keywords tags in the scripts anyway, so it's no problem to tackle the title tag from a different angle.

... Thank you also for pointing to my site as a clean and well-designed web site! :blush: That design's almost 2 years old now... it's 3rd on my list for redesigning.

Thanks again! Someday I'll get this SE stuff figured out... maybe.

Well I made a couple changes to my script and I think I have the titles right. I've only got it working in the galleries right now because I have to add another column to the catagory tables to make it read right.

Could you see if this looks right to you (any of the galleries or artwork pages) http://karencardinal.com/Galleries/. btw: if the layers go screwy on you... I'm still working to get all the IE hacks in.
The keywords and descriptions are next, but I think they'll go pretty easy.

Soooooo... if you have any suggestions so I can finally do this the right way way... I'd appreciate it! Thanks!

It looks good. Nice work and nice self-portraits...!

You're on the right track. Using the program from GoodKeywords.com will allow you to refine the keyword phrases you use on the site.

Unless there are a lot of people looking for your site with your name, I would pull it from most of the titles in favor of using keyword phrases that people are looking for.

Your free web site templates are a good idea. That can be an easy way to increase your link popularity, if people respect you request that they link to you...

Thanks so much again!

I'm so used to plastering my name on everything I touch ... I'll definately look into using key words instead.

I'd love to GoodKeywords but I'm on a Mac. I used to use the free trial at wordtracker.com (as often as I could get away with).

Thanks again for the compliments and help!

btw: the free templates have worked pretty good for me. I charge an hourly fee for image and text assistance as well as customizing the free templates. It's surprising how many people have been willing to pay for me to fix up the free templates.