Wonder how exactly you ended up on this blog post? It’s likely that you clicked on a hyperlink that directed you to a URL. But what exactly is a URL and how does it function?
A URL (Uniform Resource Locator) is a distinctive address for a specific webpage when entered into a web browser, enabling users to find and share online content. Because there are approximately 2 billion websites on the internet, so it’s important that each URL on your site is structured correctly to mitigate any lack of discoverability and general searchability. What do we mean?
A well-structured URL helps users understand the content of a webpage but also helps search engines understand the page’s relevancy and context. In this guide, we will discuss the best practices for structuring your URLs correctly and why your URL structure matters for SEO and beyond.
Keep it Simple and Concise:
A URL needs to be short, clear, and simple to remember. Use plain language to describe the page’s content; stay away from numbers and other special characters; and separate words with hyphens (-). Google says, “A site’s URL structure should be as simple as possible. Consider organizing your content so that URLs are constructed logically and in a manner that is most intelligible to humans. When possible, use readable words rather than long ID numbers in your URLs.”
Use Lowercase Letters:
URLs are easier to read and remember when written in lowercase letters. Also, it assists in avoiding case-sensitive problems that could arise while exchanging URLs across several platforms.
Use Keywords in Your URL:
Search engines can better understand the content of your page and increase its exposure in search results by including pertinent keywords in your URL. But, refrain from loading your URL with too many terms as search engines can deem this spam.
Use a Hierarchical Structure:
Put your website’s content into a hierarchical structure, and your URL structure should match that. To make it easier for users to navigate across your website, group pages into categories and subcategories using subdirectories.
Avoid Using Unnecessary Parameters:
Adding more parameters to your URLs can make them appear cluttered and perplexing. Also, it causes concerns with duplicate material that could lower the rating of your page in search results.
Use Canonical URLs:
Canonical URLs assist in preventing difficulties with duplicate content and raise your website’s search engine rating. They specify which URL should be utilized by search engines as their preferred version.
Use HTTPS:
Your website is secure and users’ data is shielded from hackers’ interception if your URLs contain HTTPS. Also, it helps to raise your website’s ranking in search results since security is a top priority for indexing
Use a Consistent URL Structure:
It’s simple for users to explore and comprehend the content of your website when you have a consistent URL structure. It also makes your website easier for search engines to crawl and index.
Importance of URL Structure for SEO
User Experience:
The most crucial aspect of search engine optimization (SEO) is a positive user experience. To enhance user experience, it’s essential to use a logical URL structure that follows page hierarchies. Organized content makes it easier for users to navigate your website without feeling lost or confused.
To optimize your URLs for both users and search engines, use SEO-friendly URLs that are easy to read and contain relevant keywords. A simple URL structure with descriptive keywords provides a clear understanding of the page content and encourages users to click on the link.
A user-friendly URL structure not only improves the browsing experience but also helps search engines deliver relevant results to users. Optimized URLs make it easier for search engine bots to crawl and index your website, which in turn promotes Google PageRank (PR).
PageRank:
Your website’s URL structure provides Google with vital information about the content and the relationship between different pages on your site. In addition to internal linking, optimized URLs make it easier for search engine bots to crawl and index your website, thereby improving your page ranking.
URLs are a crucial factor in Google PageRank (PR), which measures the value and relevance of a webpage to a search query. Although keywords in root pages can boost your ranking, avoid stuffing URLs with unnecessary keywords. Instead, include only the relevant and useful ones.
SEO-friendly URLs not only increase the chances of the link being clicked but also enhance your PageRank. After your website goes live, or you make any page URL edits, submit your sitemap in Google Search Console to ensure that search engines immediately crawl and index your pages. This will help keep your Search Engine Results Pages (SERPS) up-to-date with your site.
There is a very close relationship between URL structure, SEO, and UX that doesn’t get as much attention as it should. When content is organized logically, users can find what they need efficiently which elongates session time and increases the value of a site’s trustworthiness. The key idea here is that all of these factors influence the SERP independently, but prove even more powerful when combined. All it takes is a URL primed for strong indexing!”
– James Weiss, Big Drop’s Vice President
In Conclusion
Well-structured URLs serve as the foundation of your website, and by optimizing them, you can drive more traffic to your site. URLs that are concise and devoid of unnecessary parameters can improve your website’s search engine ranking, enhance its credibility, and facilitate seamless sharing across platforms. By following these best practices, you can ensure that your website URLs are optimized to provide a better user experience. If you have any queries or require assistance with your site, feel free to reach out to us.