Silo Diagram

Have you ever used this structure in your website?

Just by adding this structure to my site I’ve found I instantly rank for more keywords and see traffic increase.

I’ll be sending along a free video tomorrow explaining exactly how I structure my silos to gain maximum traffic with minimum effort.

Silo Website Structure

By the way, I used this software called YED Graph Editor to create the diagram above.

It is totally free, works on Mac and Windows, and I’ve found it very helpful in diagramming structures like these before I create them.

You can get it Here: YED graph Editor

Posted Wednesday, February 24th, 2010 under SEO. You can feed this entry.
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56 Responses

  1. What are the Silos supposed to represent?

    ANSWER: Each orange box in the diagram represents a page on my site. Each arrow represents a link from one page to another. ~chad

    Ray - February 24th, 2010 at 2:07 pm

  2. Thanks Chad…

    You’re definitely a ‘giver’ much more than a ‘taker.’

    Charlie

    Charles Brown - February 24th, 2010 at 2:15 pm

  3. I use a similar structure format when i diagram a site before design and I often show cuastomers one of these to impress upon them the importance of targetting different keywords on different pages. Very goo post, ought to be helpful for a lot of people. Keeps you focused on the plan and the goals.

    T.Power - February 24th, 2010 at 2:15 pm

  4. How did this effect your PR. Did it help your PR or is it being pushed to too many pages now?

    ANSWER: Actually (I’ll explain more in the detailed video tomorrow) the PR is split 3 ways from the top page, then it is just passed in a straight line through all the pages. No other links out. PR is retained very well throughout all the silo pages ~chad

    Jason - February 24th, 2010 at 2:16 pm

  5. Thanks again, great info as always, I don’t understand this yet but I’m sure I will when you send the video.
    If you get around to it sometime I’d love to see one of these maps of how it works sending visitors to say article sites to videos to a main website (if that’s the right way around) and how that affects page rank. Just in case you feel like sharing this some day! thanks!
    Kerry

    Kerry - February 24th, 2010 at 2:24 pm

  6. Hey Chad,

    Cool post! Even though you answered the first question (sort of), I still do not really understand the silo pages. The article pages that target specific keywords is clear as a bell. Are the silo pages also articles? or is the ‘silo’ just ‘categories’ in a menu structure (which is how I learned to silo)?

    Have a Great Day,
    Miles

    ANSWER: All will be clear tomorrow when my video is posted (its around 15 or 20 minutes of detail on this). If it still doesn’t make sense, shoot me an email at gmail (chadwarrior) and I can help. ~chad

    Miles - February 24th, 2010 at 2:34 pm

  7. Sorry for the duplicate post but your site is not giving any type of ‘confirmation’ after posting a comment, just fyi.

    Miles

    Miles - February 24th, 2010 at 2:39 pm

  8. Great information! I will use this for my website.

    http://www.buyabusiness.com/affiliates.php
    Affiliate program 50% commissions + $25 bonus for joining

    Jamie - February 24th, 2010 at 2:42 pm

  9. Thanks. I have been reading about silo site design and so look forward to your video. For now however many thanks on the YED Graph Editor – I have been searching for something like this for a while. Mac

    Mac - February 24th, 2010 at 2:51 pm

  10. Chad,

    Good stuff as usual, thanks.

    I would mention that you’re kinda reinventing the wheel here, though.

    Cuz, Michael Campbell’s “Revenge of the Mini-net” report (still free) covers this stuff in great detail.

    Amazingly, he originally wrote it back in 1999 and the techniques are actually more powerful today than they were back then, due to improvements in the SE’s indexing algos.

    So, unless you’ve already made the video, I’d suggest taking a quick read of the above report before you make it.

    That way, you can tap into Mike’s 11 years of mini-net and silo experience in addition to your own.

    Either way, your videos and instruction are always extremely helpful and informative. Thanks much for doing them!

    Be well,

    Russ

    Russ - February 24th, 2010 at 2:54 pm

  11. Thanks for the yEd, seems a very powerfull program, will try this out, about your silo structure, I would advise to break it at some point and certainly not do a closed ring, because the algorythms of Google always try to catch these systems to get more PR juice, but it is a basic good idea, will use it after having done my personal mix up. By the way I guess it will also work perfectly to use your silo diagram between websites properties. I usuall also mix up two keywords I want to rank one one page before to get them linked; e.g. keyword 1 on page keyword 1 goes to page keyword1+keyword2 where keyword 2 links to page keyword 2

    David Norden
    http://www.secretmarketinglinks.com (my site is down at moment of writing due to exceeded bandwith- to much visitors I guess:-)

    David Norden Secret Marketing Links - February 24th, 2010 at 2:57 pm

  12. Aloha and Thanks a BUNCH!!
    YOU have so many GREAT TIPS!!

    stew

    Charles S. Giesen - February 24th, 2010 at 3:08 pm

  13. You are great to us rookies! Thank you! The success of this is also collecting backlinks? Will your video go through just how Google smiled on you and upped your page rank?

    Susan - February 24th, 2010 at 3:24 pm

  14. good stuff, I have used google maps tool with great success.

    Moe - February 24th, 2010 at 3:27 pm

  15. Will this also work for real estate websites?

    Thank you!

    Deborah - February 24th, 2010 at 3:39 pm

  16. So none of the pages have a link back to your direct site?

    I was always taught to make sure each page has a link back to the main site…I’m a lil confused..help! lol

    Good stuff though, thank you,

    Eddy

    ANSWER: No links back to the homepage on this one! That is what makes it work so beautifully ~chad

    Eddy - February 24th, 2010 at 3:42 pm

  17. Hi Chad,

    I first came across Silo/Theme structures back in 2004 through Charles Heflin – he has a good (and similar description) at http://www.seo2020.com/lsi/silo-structured-website.html

    I learned this in much greater detail with Bruce Clay, who I believe is the original guy who invented silo/theming. At the toolset training, he showed how by simply adding the rel=”nofollow” tag, you can theme an existing site and not compromise usability (similar to Lesley Rhodie’s Javascript based Dynamic Linking, before the rel=”nofollow” became a standard)

    Something I am not 100% agreeable on though is where article three links to the next silo. Normally this would be a silo site map that retains page rank in the silo (unless of course the links from article 3 to the next Silo is a rel=”nofollow” of course).

    Bruce Clay’s we sites have massive detail about siloing (they do sites like CNN using the same methods). Check out this case study – http://www.bruceclay.com.au/newsletter/volume29/themepartone.html

    In the latest SEO for Dummies (by Bruce Clay & co), the diagrams for site structure are similar, but article 3 would not link to the next silo :-)

    Look forward to the video.

    Dallas

    Dallas - February 24th, 2010 at 3:49 pm

  18. Chad your videos have helped a lot. I really like your material. It appears your the real deal. I need to go in and break some of my pages down.

    joe - February 24th, 2010 at 4:15 pm

  19. I have only latched on to your info recently Chad, despite having been a “watcher” on your list for ages. This is very informative stuff, like your recent series of articles about link structure. Do I understand correctly that all the links are forward only.

    I am looking forward to the video.

    Ray Cassidy - February 24th, 2010 at 4:18 pm

  20. I don’t fully understand your structure — which one is your “money” page?

    Where are you trying to drive the traffic?

    JJ - February 24th, 2010 at 4:18 pm

  21. Hi Chad
    You certainly are a giver as Charlie/Charles Brown said!

    The more I follow your ideas the more I want someone else to read them for me!!
    There just isn’t enough time to read them & institute them before you offer the next great idea!!! lol.

    Cheers
    Phil Tozer
    philtozer.com
    philtozer@philtozer.com
    twitter: philtozer

    Phil Tozer - February 24th, 2010 at 4:19 pm

  22. Thank you again, not sure how i will incorporate this into my traffic exchange, but am looking forward to another one of your great videos.
    Doug Conniff
    Inexpensive Quality Advertising @ Traffic Crossing

    Doug Conniff - February 24th, 2010 at 4:27 pm

  23. Hey Chad,
    Thanks for the tip–I’ve been looking for a piece of software like this for some work I’m doing setting up a business structure for a local non-profit.
    I look forward to the video tomorrow and putting the info to use.
    Hope to return to favor soon,
    Larry

    DLWhite - February 24th, 2010 at 4:37 pm

  24. Hello Chad

    Actually, I have been doing some internal linking between pages using keywords and themes because I understood that it helps the pages rank higher, but I have not used a silo structure.

    I was under the impression that silos were complex and required a lot of time, but maybe not?

    Anyway, I look forward to your video to get a better insight.

    Thanks,
    - Paul -

    Paul Duffy - February 24th, 2010 at 6:36 pm

  25. Hey Chad,
    Cool info! – thanks for this and for yEd.
    I am looking forward to your next video on silos.
    Dusty

    Dusty - The Barter Guy - February 24th, 2010 at 7:00 pm

  26. Cheers Chad!! :)

    Steven McLaren - February 24th, 2010 at 7:51 pm

  27. I love your all info, thanks for providing it to us at no cost.
    Can’t wait for the video. Curious how the structure will effect traffic, hmmm.

    Sandra

    Sandra - February 24th, 2010 at 7:54 pm

  28. Chad,

    The way you have the silo diagram is how I used to do it, and it can work but found that if I “don’t” connect the last article to the next silo – it’s the more themeatic way to do it.

    More importantly, each silo should have its own 3-5 article “cluster” wherein each article only links inbound to the silo landing page, so they all look like petals on a flower. The concept of “daisy chaining” is actually the wrong way to do it – but building a correct diagram is hard to do. I’m sure you know but it can get lost in interpretation.

    The way you are describing it, is the old school way of siloing, the updated way works better.

    I’m a “themezoom” Krakken member so I’ve spent a few years over there learning the silo concept. Glad to help/discuss if you are open to that.

    ANSWER: I’ve had great success with the daisy chain method, I’d love to know any input you have to improve the silo structure, and I’ll pass it along to my subscribers. Shoot me an email at gmail (chadwarrior) ~chad

    Terry Lamb - February 24th, 2010 at 8:19 pm

  29. Thanks Chad For the info and the freeby

    Doug - February 24th, 2010 at 8:51 pm

  30. Never have done this method at all. So will look into it and give it a try.

    Thanks Chad!!

    Craig - February 24th, 2010 at 11:46 pm

  31. Hi Chad;

    Great information on this Silo structure tip.

    Does this mean, I will not have any link to Home from
    subpages in my WP based site?
    How about the top or left menu links, pointing to Home page?
    Or that is not an issue… we are talking about only linking
    from my Article to Home page.
    Clarification, Please!…

    Gautam - February 25th, 2010 at 12:18 am

  32. Hi Chad,

    I dare say that the link juice from this website architecture is awesome, can’t wait to hear the actual figures from this configuration which I’m sure you will disclose on the video. Looking forward to your email notification, tomorrow.

    Stevie J.

    Steven - February 25th, 2010 at 7:57 am

  33. Hi Chad
    Great info as always. I’m not quite there yet with some of your stuff, but I always appreciate the information and shall watch the video.
    Best wishes
    Mike

    Mike Mott - February 25th, 2010 at 10:11 am

  34. Great.. Gonna try this out with my of my small niche site and post back any results.. BTW, this should work better if you just get some one way backlinks from authority sites, artices submission and maybe some from FTS for them to start ranking.. I am starting to get excited.. :)

    Eric @SimplyBacklinks - February 25th, 2010 at 2:01 pm

  35. I’ve seen instant income
    increase by using this
    specific website structure.

    irinel Lazarescu - February 25th, 2010 at 2:10 pm

  36. Hi Chad,

    I’ve seen instant income
    increase by using this
    specific website structure.

    irinel Lazarescu - February 25th, 2010 at 2:12 pm

  37. How do I get on your mailing list. I do not see a sign up form. I am interested in your teaching. I guess I need to break out the Mater plan by Charles Heflin.

    ANSWER FROM CHAD: http://arborgroup.org/AffYoutube2opt.php

    Stacey - February 25th, 2010 at 4:44 pm

  38. Nice,
    Looking forward to more about Silo’s

    Lars - February 25th, 2010 at 5:30 pm

  39. ok now that I am on your list where can I find more information about your course and silo wordpress theme you was sending to your list?

    I only see stuff about Youtube.

    ANSWER FROM CHAD: I’ll send you an email early next week, we’re still finishing up last minute details… watch your inbox!

    Stacey - February 26th, 2010 at 12:24 pm

  40. Hi Chad,

    This looks like another brilliant piece of information, keep up the excellent work.

    Thanks

    Wayne Strickland

    Wayne Strickland - March 1st, 2010 at 5:02 pm

  41. Chadd,

    Ummm, just curious. Your email said #2 out of 2.5 million, and it seems you were talking about, silo diagram. In Google, without quotes, silo diagram fetches about 216,000 results.

    Were you talking about another phrase?

    Thanks…

    ANSWER FROM CHAD: Yes actually I made a mistake in that email, was moving too fast and I failed to check the term with quotes! Good catch

    Ken - March 1st, 2010 at 7:04 pm

  42. Great video. But I have a confusion. Can I use article directories to create silo or we have only option to make silo in our website.

    ANSWER FROM CHAD: only in your site.

    Harris - March 2nd, 2010 at 1:46 am

  43. Thanks Chad – I saw a presentation on Silo Structuring at a seminar over a couple of years ago, but it was double dutch to me at the time as I knew nothing much about Sites or SEO.
    You’ve just brought it all to life and I’m very keen now to give it a try out.
    Thanks again
    John O’York

    John Reed - March 3rd, 2010 at 7:35 am

  44. Hey Chad

    More great info. Just finshing up restructuring . I didn’t get the video…do you have a link to it so I can watch. Thanks again for excellent info.

    Fern

    Fern Joseph - March 5th, 2010 at 8:59 am

  45. Hi Chad,

    With the articles 1,2,3 etc. Do they only link 1 to 2 to 3?

    So if you are on article page 1 you can click to the next page which is article 2. But If you were on article page 1 could you in a single click visit article page 3?

    or like this:

    Does each article page 1,2,and 3 have links to all the articles in that specific silo?

    ANSWER FROM CHAD: yes, they only link 1 to 2 to 3

    Peter - March 22nd, 2010 at 4:09 am

  46. I’m looking forward to getting more information about this topic, don’t worry about negative opinions.

    flackman - April 16th, 2010 at 5:33 pm

  47. Thanks Chad, it looks like none of the silo or article pages link back to the index page at all ?
    is that correct it seems strange ?

    Wouldnt links back to the home page with your keywords in the anchor text help your home page get ranked higher on google ?

    stockport - September 6th, 2010 at 4:36 am

  48. Hey Chad,
    Thank you again for the excellent info. When you have a moment would you send me some info on how to do this for WordPress, I feel like I’ve been hitting my head against a brick wall trying to figure it out.
    Much appreciated,
    Matt

    Matthew - September 15th, 2010 at 11:27 am

  49. In essence, it is best to go Narrow and Deep and once you have penetrated then Expand the Keywords, right?

    Marketing Consultants - December 2nd, 2010 at 10:08 am

  50. Thanks , don’t you link out to any other sites at all via this method ?
    I guess that keeps the link juice in the site, but I have always found linking out to be beneficial to seo.

    localseo - December 2nd, 2010 at 6:46 pm

  51. Great info on silos thanks Chad, looks like its the way to go.

    personal injury macclesfield - December 6th, 2010 at 6:26 pm

  52. this is an easy way to understand internal link building for newbies like me… thanks alot.

    Ebisnizone - February 21st, 2011 at 8:06 am

  53. Thanks Chad, this makes sense not only for seo, but from a readers point of view. Now I just need to reorganise my whole site ! Wish I had read this years ago.

    cctv installation - March 1st, 2011 at 8:22 am

  54. Silos sound like a good idea, it makes sense to users and search engines.I will definitely incorporate this structure in my next site.

    Fascias Manchester - May 10th, 2011 at 9:45 am

  55. Hi Chad,

    YOU have so many GREAT TIPS !

    This looks like a piece of information, keep up the excellent work.

    Thanks

    Irinel Lazarescu - August 16th, 2011 at 12:23 pm

  56. I wanted to thank you for this great read!! I definitely enjoying every little bit of it I have you bookmarked to check out new stuff you post

    Best Regards,
    PSEXAM
    ICT TRENDS
    Palletizer Machine

    ps exam - January 6th, 2012 at 12:07 pm

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