SEO Implications – Custom PHP Templates or Static Pages for Category Pages

  • Resolved nevrsmer

    (@nevrsmer)


    4 years, 5 months ago

    Hello,

    I have a question regarding the SEO implications if using custom PHP templates or static pages for category pages. Since the styling options for category pages on our site are applied to all category pages, we are lookin for a way to have different styling options for different category pages.

    Two options wer’e considering are: 1. Create custom PHP templates for page styling and text and use a posts query plugin for the posts feed (such as WP Show Posts), and 2. Use static pages for Category pages by implementing and instructions and code on the following page: https://docs.wpshowposts.com/article/use-static-pages-as-category-archives/

    What are the SEO implications when using Yoast for either of these options? Which is the better option and why? Is using static pages, will they replace the category pages and be seen as category pages within WordPress and to search engines? Will the static pages have the same hierarchal importance and structure? Will this have any duplicate content issues? If using custom PHP templates, I assume the category pages will have the same hierarchal and structural importance given that the PHP templates will be for styling and content. Is that the case?

    Also, if using Yoast for breadcrumbs, with either of these options cause any issues in using breadcrumbs?

    Thank you and have a good day.

    Cheers!

Viewing 4 replies - 1 through 4 (of 4 total)

  • Hi @nevrsmer,

    We would not recommend reinventing the wheel and creating custom pages to replace archive pages.

    While we can’t give you actual theme development advice, we would recommend looking into styling the default archive pages and customize those in your own childtheme. Each category archive page would have separate classes that you can then use to create different styling. For example, the body opening tag on a category page can look like <body class="archive category category-uncategorized category-1.

    Hope this helps.

    Thread Starter nevrsmer

    (@nevrsmer)

    Hello Jeroen,

    Thank you for the information!

    I have a follow-up question if you have a moment regarding custom PHP templates for styling category pages.

    Re reason we are looking for this option is that the Blog Module in GeneratePress Pro applies its setting site wide to all category pages. We have one category page that is quite different from the other category pages. As such, the site-wide settings preclude our ability to style the unique category page as we want. Hence, the reason for looking for other options to styling category pages.

    From what I understand, category pages use a php template that’s in the theme. In the case of the PHP template in our theme, the classes in this PHP template are applied to all category pages equally. Applying unique classes to a just one category page in this scenario is not possible from what I understand.

    If this is the case, then a custom PHP template would need to be created for the unique category page in question. Is that correct?

    To the Yoast question!!!

    From your response, I gather that you recommend using the default PHP category template for styling category pages. Is that correct? If a custom PHP template is used to style the one category page in question, there should be no issues with Yoast and SEO, given that we are still using a php template to style this category page, albeit a custom one. This would be a better option than using static pages for category pages, right?

    I know there are topics in this email that are not directly related to Yoast and SEO, but it’s necessary to establish the context in order to arrive at the topics in which Yoast is involved.

    Again, many thanks and have a good day!

    Cheers,

    Plugin Support Michael Ti?a

    (@mikes41720)

    Hi,

    Unfortunately, your question is outside the scope of the support we provide. Giving?SEO advice, in most cases, requires a deep analysis of your site to provide accurate advice for your specific setup, even for what may seem to be a simple question.

    At Yoast, we want to help people improve their site and to make SEO attainable for everyone. So we offer?Yoast Academy?courses on all aspects of SEO, several great plugins, and a?comprehensive SEO blog.?

    We understand that not everyone has the interest or time to learn SEO.?Our main advice at this point?would be to check for a local SEO company and see if they can help out. If you are using a web development agency, you could ask them, as most agencies have at least a basic understanding of SEO as well – the good ones do.

    Plugin Support devnihil

    (@devnihil)

    We are going ahead and marking this issue as resolved due to inactivity. If you require any further assistance please create a new issue.

Viewing 4 replies - 1 through 4 (of 4 total)
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