SEO-Compatbile WebHelp/Knowledge Base

[dsarig]

Hi,

We create our WebHelp using RoboHelp 8 and it is saved on our FTP.

However, we want to make sure the help is indexed by Google (right now, it is not) and would also like to provide more of a "knowledge base" feel to the site.

From what I have found on the web, it seem that RoboHelp Server does provide this capability.

Can anyone share their experience of migrating from RoboHelp 8 to RoboHelp Server 8?

What are the pitfalls, advantages, etc.?

Thanks,

Debbie

[RoboColum_n_]

Hi Debbie.

Can you share the links you found with us? RH Server is purely a method of delivering WebHelp output in a format that allows you to gather statistics and run reports on the help file's usage. I personally haven't seen any evidence that Google's analytics treats it any differently from normal WebHelp ouput.

There are a number of articles on RoboHelp Server on my blog (see below) if you want some more information.

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Read the RoboColum(n).

[dsarig]

On the "Search enhancements" section of this page:

http://www.adobe.com/products/robohelpserver/features/

it mentions "keyword search", so I thought maybe it was referring to keywords used by search engines.

Some other questions:

The link above mentions "Automatic project merging". Is that an improvement on the merged WebHelps? Right now, no matter what topic I'm in, the path shown is the same path (the main Help's path). Will this be different with RoboHelp Server?

From your post, I understand that the main benefit is to gather information. So, is that the only reason to buy RoboHelp Server?

If I want a knowledge base like MSDN, then this would not be the right product?

Thanks,

Debbie

[RoboColum_n_]

OK. Keyword searching refers to a change from the previous versions of RH Server which used natural language searching. So as far as google analytics are concerned, there would be no change.

The automatic project merging refers to an option on the RH Server to merge projects that are published to the same area. Areas are new to RH Server 8 but essentially allow you to have distinct directories on the server (e.g. for different software versions, departmental documentation, etc.) which can be protected. With the merged WebHelp it effectively means you do not need to use the mergedProjects directory structure you have to with WebHelp. Personally though I still use it because I am familiar with it.

Personally I'm not that familiar with MSDN but I'd have thought that RH Server could offer you that. It is just a help file, albeit a large one which is fully searchable. RH Server 8 offers ranking of search results. Gather statistics and running reports is one of the major benefits but this is not the only reason for buying it.

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Read the RoboColum(n).

[Peter Grainge]

Debbie

From your first post, I though your interest was in Google finding your output when someone somewhere in the world searches using Google.

You also thought that RH Server would make your help look more like a knowledge base.

Now you are talking about using RH Server's automatic merging.

GOOGLE

How to get Google to find you is the subject of books and consultancy. There is a lot of information on the web too. Use Google! One of the key things is the number of links to your knowledge base from other sites and who those sites are owned by. A link to your site from Microsoft or Adobe carries more points than a link from a small site.

RH SERVER

That does not affect how your output likes. The Reviewers Guide for RH8 will give you information on what RH Server does. http://tinyurl.com/cvaxzh

MERGING

The work saving from automatic merging is minimal. I think links between projects become more difficult too in that they need to be set up manually.

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See www.grainge.org for RoboHelp and Authoring tips