Duplicating Keywords in url string, potential problem?

Hi all,

wondering if I can have some clarification on this.

I work for a company that has a directory product, we'll call it easydir.com for this example.

The directory itself basically joins services with locations, a bit like yell but on a proximity basis.

We went to a professional SEO company for advice on url structure and they advised that the optimal structure would be something like:

http://www.easydir.com/countyname/to...-townname.html

however I would have structured like this:

www.easydir.com/countyname/townname/service/ or www.easydir.com/countyname/townname/service.htm

I see no point in the duplication of the townname and from my limited SEO understanding potentially you are weakening the keyword due to it's repetition and the fact the url string has increased in length.

I'm simply afraid that the continuous duplication throughout the product could be damanging to our indexes and need to have some kind of reassurance that it's either OK or damaging.

If one of you experts would be so kind as to just put my mind at ease that would be great.

p.s. when searching for, for example, plumbers in taunton on Google UK the structure for all top 3 pages is usually www.easydir.com/countyname/townname/service/ and so I feel that supports my theory, but doesn't actual definately say whether the other way is just ok, or damaging.

Thanks.

anybody got even the slightest bit of opinion on this dilemma?

Only after thoughts and perceptions.

I would suggest using your first choice:
www.easydir.com/countyname/townname/service/

Short and to the point is always the way to go. The URL keywords are not as important as they used to be. Just make sure the titles and headings (h1) on your page use the "xCity service" style titles.

Think about what YOU would do.

if your furnace blows up, what would YOU search for?

furnace repair london?
london boiler tech?
etc

key in on variations of what makes most sense to YOU and your LOCALE in your titles. Certainly, there is a bit of difference in the UK version of saying things vs. the US version and I can't help you there