drop menus vs. text links

[newreality]

While text menus are obviously better for optimization, do search bots follow/track links from drop menu's? Do they know they exist?

I have many of the same links repeated only by slight variation (not in actual text link, they are varied only by the address & content of destination page)

[qwerty]

If the dropdown menu is conrolled by a script it's not likely search engines will be able to follow it, but you can add a <noscript> element containing text links right after the menu. Search engines and users with js turned off can follow those links, but they'll be invisible to anyone else.

You could also look into the dynamic menus that are controlled by CSS. They're just text links, but they look like DHTML.

[SearchIA]

Yeah I've developed/designed DHTML/CSS drop downs that included a slide under effect. Setting them up took alot of time but the investment paid off since they were accessible in every browser and all pages were crawled and indexed.

[newreality]

could anyone recommend a resource for these types of menus.

I'm developing lengthy lists (by years) and this would help. Otherwise this could represent much repitition on the page (going the text link route)

[UltraZulu]

if you like to do it yourself then this page will help:

http://www.webcredible.co.uk/user-friendly-resources/css/css-navigation-menu.shtml

if you would like to buy one try this:

http://www.udm4.com/

;)

[Chris_D]

Hi Newreality,

I'd recommend Suckerfish, and sons of suckerfish. Proven & clean!

http://www.htmldog.com/articles/suckerfish/dropdowns/
http://www.alistapart.com/articles/dropdowns/

Good luck!

[David Wallace]

You can also add a site map that categorizes all your sections and pages for those sections using text links. Not only is the site map sure to be search engine friendly, it will also provide a useful map of your site for someone who wishes to navigate somewhere quickly without having to explore drop-down or pop-out menus. Just be sure to include a text link to the site map like in the footer of your site or something similar to that.

[newreality]

- thank you everyone, I'll check into these -

[SearchIA]

Here is where my source was for the ones I had created:
http://youngpup.net/_projectDirectories/ypSlideOutMenus/simple/index.html

Here is where they are being used:

http://www.gate1travel.com/italy-travel/

[Mel]

could anyone recommend a resource for these types of menus.

I'm developing lengthy lists (by years) and this would help. Otherwise this could represent much repitition on the page (going the text link route)

Take a look at projectseven. com and thier Dreamweaver extensions (autolayers, autohide, etc) that make it quite easy to do.

There is also quite a nice tutorial in Projectsevens book Dreamweaver 4 Magic.

[Mel]

A new tool has just been released by Projectseven that makes the creation of multi level drop down/slide out spiderable menus a one click affair. Well worth the $90 in my book.