Creating an SEO-friendly URL structure is crucial for optimizing your website for search engine visibility and enhancing user experience. A URL is a summary of the entire article or content it represents.
You can craft an effective URL structure that aligns with search engine algorithms and user preferences by following best practices, such as maintaining a logical hierarchy, ensuring consistency, and utilizing canonical URLs.
But how exactly are SEO-friendly URLs created? Well, worry not, we will guide you through each aspect to be considered while creating URLs.
Understanding the Structure of a URL
RLs can vary in format, but they generally consist of six different parts. Take a look at the example URLs provided above to get a sense of their diversity. Now, let's delve into the components of a typical URL:
- https://legiit.com/blog/how-to" target="_blank">https://legiit.com/blog/how-to -create-seo-friendly-url-structure
- https://legiit.com/blog
- https://shop.legiit.com/product/backpack/
Wait, don’t get confused by those different types of URLs, actually URLs can be in various formats these are just a few examples.
Now let us consider this URL and understand what each part defines:
https://shop.legiit.com/product/backpack/
- https:// : Protocol
- shop: Subdomain
- legiit: Domain
- com: Top-level domain (TLD)/Extension
- product: Subfolder
- backpack: slug
The slug is important here for SEO. Now, let's look at the best ways to make optimized URLs.
How to create an SEO-friendly URL structure? (Best Practices)
- Include your title/topic as it is
- Make Letters Lowercase in URLs
- Remove special characters
- Remove all kinds of numbers
- Now make sure you optimize as per the keyword
- Use Hyphens to Separate words
- Keep it short
- Make sure it’s readable (optional)
- BONUS (TIP)
Now, let me guide you through the process of URL optimization using the provided checklist.
1. Include your title/topic as it is
Our title is usually a summarised form of what the post/article is all about. Likewise, the URL should reflect the content of the page it represents in a well-summarised form. Start by incorporating the main topic or title of the page into the URL.
Example:
Title: How to create an SEO-friendly URL structure? (Step-by-Step), paste as it is a URL with the symbol as of now.
2. Use Lowercase Letters in URLs
Search engines treat uppercase and lowercase letters differently, so it's best to use lowercase letters throughout your URLs for consistency.
Example:
Instead of - https://legiit.com/How-to-create-an-SEO-friendly-URL-structure?(Step-by-Step)
Use - https://legiit.com/how-to-create-an-seo-friendly-url-structure?(step-by-step)
3. Remove special characters
All the Special characters like !, @, #, %, etc., should be avoided in URLs as they can cause issues with encoding and readability.
Example:
Instead of - https://legiit.com/how-to-create-an-seo-friendly-url-structure?(step-by-step)
Use - https://legiit.com/how-to-create-an-seo-friendly-url-structure-step-by-step
4. Exclude/Remove numbers
Excluding numbers from your URLs is an optional best practice that can enhance readability and make your URLs more user-friendly. While numbers may be necessary in some cases (e.g., product IDs), they can make URLs appear more complex and less intuitive when used unnecessarily.
Example:
Instead of - https://example.com/blog-post-123456
Use - https://example.com/blog-post-seo-friendly-urls
What looks better? The first one, right? So that’s the answer.
5. Now make sure you optimize as per the keyword
Incorporate relevant keywords into your URLs to provide context about the page's content. However, be sure to strike a balance and avoid keyword stuffing, which can make the URL look spammy. You can include seed, long-tail, or relevant keywords in your URL based on your page's topic.
Example:
Instead of - https://legiit.com/best-local-seo-services-small-businesses-affordable-pricing-top-ranking-guaranteed
Use - https://legiit.com/local-seo-services-small-businesses
The first one appears spammy and unnatural, with unnecessary length and words.
6. Use Hyphens to Separate words
Instead of spaces or underscores, use hyphens to separate words in your URL. This makes it easier to read and improves readability for both users and search engines.
Example:
Instead of - https://legiit.com/how_to_create_an_seo_friendly_url_structure step-by-step
Use - https://legiit.com/how-to-create-an-seo-friendly-url-structure-step-by-step
I hope the points covered so far have been easy to understand. Just two more points to go, and we're done! Ready?
7. Keep it short
Do you remember any long URL you came across and still it's in your brain? The answer is NO, right? Likewise, Keeping your URLs short is important, making them easier to remember and share.
Example:
Instead of - https://legiit.com/how-to-create-an-seo-friendly-url-structure-step-by-step
Use - https://legiit.com/how-to-create-an-seo-friendly-url-structure
Or Use - https://legiit.com/seo-friendly-url-structure
8. Make sure it’s readable (optional)
Although not a strict requirement, making your URLs readable can improve user experience. Consider using words that are easy to understand, rather than abbreviations or complex technical terms.
Follow the seven steps outlined above to optimize and improve the readability of your URL. Once you've completed these steps, your URL will be ready to go!
For further insights into URL structure, Google provides an informative article on the topic. You can find it at: https://developers.google.com/search/docs/crawling-indexing/url-structure
Were you waiting for the Bonus tip? Let's not make you wait. So the tip is:
9. Use HTTPS
While not directly related to the URL structure itself, it's crucial to use HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure) on your website. HTTPS ensures safe browsing and protects users' information by encrypting the data exchange between the website and the user's browser.
The first part of a URL indicates whether it's HTTP or HTTPS, so users can immediately identify if a site is secure or not.
Example: "https://www.example.com" is a secure URL, while "http://www.example.com" is not.
Nowadays, if a website doesn't have HTTPS, Google displays a pop-up notification indicating that the site is not secure or lacks an HTTPS connection. Therefore, I believe that having an SSL certificate and HTTPS is mandatory to ensure a secure browsing experience.
Optimizing URLs for Multilingual SEO
Multilingual SEO involves optimizing URLs for different languages. There are five common structures: gTLD with subfolders, gTLD with subdomains, ccTLDs, gTLD with parameters, and different domains. Each has pros and cons based on technical setup and SEO goals.
Selecting the right multilingual URL structure requires balancing technical considerations and SEO objectives. For example, using different ccTLDs signals targeted countries strongly, while gTLD with subfolders offers flexibility. Adhering to URL best practices for specific countries like Japan, Russia (Yandex), and China (Baidu) ensures optimal visibility and accessibility in regional search engines.
It can be a dedicated blog post about Optimizing URLs for Multilingual SEO, which I'll cover some other day.
Why are URLs important for SEO?
URLs play a crucial role in SEO strategies. They serve as a pathway for search engines to understand your webpage's content. Clear and concise URLs contribute to better visibility and higher search engine rankings.
Google's SEO starter guide underscores the significance of optimized URLs. When URLs contain relevant keywords, they improve the chances of attracting organic traffic. Well-structured URLs enhance user experience and credibility, leading to increased engagement.
Some Frequently Asked Questions
How do I format a URL for SEO?
Formatting a URL for SEO involves incorporating the main topic or title of the page, using lowercase letters, removing special characters, excluding unnecessary numbers, and optimizing with relevant keywords.
By following these steps, you ensure that your URL is both search engine-friendly and user-friendly.
What is an example of a URL that is SEO-friendly?
An example of an SEO-friendly URL is one that accurately reflects the content it represents. Create SEO-friendly URLs: use lowercase letters, avoid special characters and numbers, include keywords, use hyphens, keep it short, and ensure readability.
For instance, "https://legiit.com/how-to-create-an-seo-friendly-url-structure" is an SEO-friendly URL.
Which type of URL is best for SEO?
The best type of URL for SEO is one that is clear, concise, and relevant to the webpage's content. It should include the main topic or title, be short, and ensure readability. This type of URL improves search engine visibility and enhances user experience.
Wrapping Up!
In conclusion, while crafting SEO-friendly URLs may not seem like a big deal, following these simple steps can make a significant difference. Once you get the hang of it, creating optimized URLs will become second nature, taking just a few moments of your time.
Have any questions or need clarification? Feel free to leave a comment below or reach out to me directly.
Legit Can Help You Optimize Your URL Structure for Better SEO
Need assistance in creating SEO-friendly URLs? At Legit, our team of SEO experts can help you optimize your URL structure for better search engine visibility and user experience.
With our comprehensive SEO services, we'll craft URLs that align with best practices, improve your rankings, and provide a seamless browsing experience. Contact us today or get any SEO service from our most trusted marketplace.
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