I'm thinking about using an iframe for my top menu links, but was wondering if it would in fact be foolish?

My main idea is that the same menu would appear on every page without me faffing around updating it on different pages, if i want to change it.

I've heard that iframes work better than the older non-i frames, but I'm not sure why?

Do iframes really pose any big disadvantages, re search engines etc, or are there any other issues I need to think about before doing it? Since I already have an xml sitemap with google, would it make any real difference SE wise?

Any other thoughts?

THANKS!

Don't use IFRAMES for a menu. User Server Side Includes, which will work even without a programming language being active. Or, if you use PHP, it is as simple as this:

PHP Code:

<?php include "includes/top-nav.php"; ?>

Thanks, If I understand the server side includes correctly though, my pages would then have to have shtml type extensions. I don't want to change any file names.

I'm not completely new to php but really only know a tiny amount! So I would create the menu in a file with the php extension, then just include that bit of code in the relevant place on my html page? Or would the page with the code on it have to have a php extension too?. (Sorry if the question is stupid!)

I use sitemesh to accomplish this.

I suppose it all depends on the server technology you use

So I would create the menu in a file with the php extension, then just include that bit of code in the relevant place on my html page? Or would the page with the code on it have to have a php extension too?

Like Paul points out, there are lots of solutions for lots of platforms, but for a PHP enabled configuration, the file included may be of any extension, but by default, the file calling the include may only be .php. This may be remedied with a simple change in your .htaccess (only works on Apache):

AddHandler application/x-httpd-php .php .html

which causes files with the .html (in addition to .php) extension to start up the PHP interpreter.

I agree use SSI... better browser compatibility and you won't risk scrollbars in the middle of your pages which looks unprofessional. Its also easy to learn... just give it a try and I'm sure you can figure it out real quick.

I currently use iFrame for my photo website.

I have thumbnails in a group, and a central display window that can display images or text, and the rest of the page stays the same.

Downside is, that you limit your content area to the size of the iFrame.

I'm also looking into ways to improve this - probably going with javascript.