1

I have approximately 5,000 PDF files in 4 different categories on our Joomla website that are currently only accessible by via a PHP/mySQL seach script. The filenames (which are numbers) and file locations are stored in a mySQL db and there is a simple PHP script that sends the query and returns a hyperlink to the correct file. The seach is based on a user typing in a number which corresponds to the filename (people using this will know what the number represents - it's a legal case number).

I'd love for the files to be accessible via a google search but I'm not clear about how to make google find them. Should I just create a text page for each of the 4 categories which contain the links to each of the files and make those easily accessible by google's search?

Improve this question
3
  • 5
    This question appears to be off-topic because it is about SEO
    – John Conde ♦
    Commented Dec 20, 2013 at 13:45
  • There a few different ways to approach this. Yes, an XML sitemap is the goal, but how to build the sitemap? There are two basic methods I think: 1) write some php code or use a joomla plugin that will output all the db records (php file locations of the pdfs) into a sitemap and 2) all the pdfs must be in directories - put that directory in a sitemap or use an oneline sitemap tool to generate it.
    – ssaltman
    Commented Dec 20, 2013 at 14:22
  • The file locations of the pdf's are independent of the joomla site - in their own db and unknown to the joomla db. So it appears your second solution is the best way.
    – Roberto
    Commented Dec 20, 2013 at 14:34

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
5

Just add them to your XML sitemap. It's more than for HTML files.

Improve this answer

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge you have read our privacy policy.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.