Do my site page names need to change?

This page outlines whether or not your file names need to change - if you need clarification, please do ask.

If your site already uses suitable server side scripts, then, unlikely.

If your site pages are static HTML pages - '.htm' or '.html' then there are two ways to implement.  Either use 'iframes' in the pages, which does not require renaming any pages (recommended method), or renaming the pages.  See below for more information.

Not changing file names (recommended)

This section applies if your site currently uses static HTML - '.htm' or '.html'.  ADEW do not normally recommend changing the file names on an existing live site, as site visitors may have some pages book marked, and search engines will be pointing to current pages, and renaming could stop these working.

It is possible to add in rss feeds to static HTML sites sites using 'Iframes' - even if the file types are '.htm' or '.html'.  Iframes are not the same as traditional Frames within HTML - Iframes can be used to add snippets of code to existing pages within a predefined square box.  It is also possible to use JavaScript to dynamically resize the Iframe, so the site visitor will not see the Iframe border, or scroll bars.  Please note that some site designs prevent IFrames from being used - please check with ADEW, providing your web site address.

Note, however, that some older or more unusual browsers do not support Iframes, which means that customers on older or more unusual browsers may not see the page displayed correctly - the number is small, so is not generally considered to be a problem.  If JavaScript resize is used, some browsers may have JavaScript disabled too.

Some search engines may ignore the content within the Iframe too.  Please see section on search engines for more information.

Example

Below right is an example of an Iframe within a page.

Example 2 - live example

ADEW's main site (www.adew-consulting.co.uk) is mainly in HTML (.htm extension), but the files still have a dynamic rss feed on them - click here to view the site.  The site uses JavaScript to resize the Iframe so scroll bars are not necessary.

Changing file names

If it is necessary to change the page names, this would require re-linking the site to point to the new page, and so is not generally recommended.  Visitors who have the old pages book marked would need to be catered for with redirect pages, and any search engine links would be broken for files renamed.

ADEW do not generally recommend renaming files, except if, for example, your site design prevents the use of Iframes.