Should the landing pages be connected to the main website?

Short Answer: Yes, landing pages should be part of your main website. They may not always need to be linked directly from your menu, but it’s important to structure them properly so that Google recognizes and values them.

Full Explanation

Landing pages play a crucial role in your website’s overall SEO strategy. While you might think of them as standalone pages dedicated to a specific campaign or offer, these pages should still be integrated into your main website. This means they should exist under your website’s domain rather than as separate or disconnected pages on the internet.

Integration allows search engines like Google to understand that the landing page is a part of your website’s content ecosystem. Proper structuring ensures that Google can find, crawl, and index these landing pages effectively, which can contribute positively to your search rankings and overall site authority.

Step-by-Step Breakdown

Include landing pages on your website’s domain to maintain relevance and authority.
It is not always necessary to add direct menu links to these landing pages for users. They can be accessed through other means such as campaigns, email links, or internal links embedded within your content.
Ensure the landing pages are well-structured with proper URL paths, internal linking, and clear navigation paths where applicable, so Google can crawl and index them properly.
Regularly monitor your website’s structure to verify landing pages are connected logically and not orphaned.

Real Examples

Although direct menu links may be absent, the landing pages remain within your main website structure, allowing Google to recognize the relationship and relevance between your main content and landing pages. This setup benefits overall SEO while keeping your main navigation clean.

Common Mistakes

Creating standalone landing pages outside the main website domain that Google cannot associate with your main site.
Neglecting proper structural connections, which may cause landing pages to be poorly indexed or treated as separate entities by search engines.
Adding all landing pages directly to the main menu, which can clutter navigation and reduce user experience.

FAQs

Q: Do landing pages always need to be linked on the website’s main menu?
A: No, landing pages can be part of the site without appearing on the main menu.

Q: Why is it important for landing pages to be on the main website?
A: Being part of the main website helps Google understand their relevance and improves SEO performance.

Key Takeaways

Landing pages should always be hosted within your main website’s domain.
Direct links in the main menu are optional; focus on proper structuring for Google.
Good website structure ensures Google can crawl and index landing pages effectively, enhancing your SEO.