Product Associations

[jetx]

If I understand product associations correctly then what I propose to do is as follows (I hope this is clear):

 

Category: W

Product: b, Description: suitable models 10, 11, 12

 

Category: X

Product:  a, Description: suitable models 1, 2, 3

 

Category: Y

Product: a, Description: suitable models 4, 5, 6

 

Category: Z

Product: b, Description: suitable models 7, 8, 9

 

So basically the same product is suitable for different categories (brand names). Setting the shop up this way has the advantage of a far lower number of products as most can be associated with other categories. Also makes stock control a lot easier.

 

I have had this particular site for 4 years using different software. Changing to presta so a great opportunity to change everything. In that site I set up a separate product (unique product codes and product names) rather than use associations. Although this was painful in many respects (a huge number of products to initially set up and stock control headaches), it did have the benefit (after 2 years of fairly poor organic searches) to eventually rank number one in almost every single search (category name and description).

 

This naturally has me concerned that my competition, which most likely uses associations because it is logical and easier to maintain, is adversely affected due to the way google indexes and possibly penalises to some degree all associated products, viewing them as duplicates.

 

Duplicates because the same product part number will be used in many associations.

 

Have I misunderstood the use of associations, and should I be concerned? What say you? Thanks in advance.

Edited April 23, 2014 by jetx (see edit history)

[jetx]

Alright figured this out. Now I am familiar with how associations work. And, I conclude any common associations will have a negative impact with regards to organic searches.

Edited April 26, 2014 by jetx (see edit history)