[thelist] Switching file extensions from .html to .php, SEO consequences?

[Simon Perry]

Rich Points wrote:

>Howdy,
>I have a large site with .html file extensions.  I'm developing some database futures that will require the passing of hidden variables.  I will likely do this via php.  I haven't investigated this yet but I'll probably add a line in my .htacess file redirecting .html pages to their .php equivalent.  
>
>I'm curious how Google will re-index the site.  I suspect this will cause my page rank to drop or disappear but don't I know for sure.  Frankly I'm terrified to see this project through.
>
>Has anyone done this out there?  I'm looking for advice for the best way to do this.  
>
>  
>
Rich,

Using mod_rewrite you could keep your html extensions and also pass 
variables in a search engine friendly manner, there is a good article on 
sitepoint.com [0] that should get you started.

Simon

[0] http://www.sitepoint.com/article/guide-url-rewriting