Tips for creating SEO Friendly Website URL for Better Google Ranking.
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Table of Contents:
- Introduction to URL Structure.
- Why Care about Website URL Structure?
- Tips for creating SEO Friendly Website URL or Web Addresses:
- Examples of well-structured URLs that follow best practices for SEO. Good and Bad URL.
- Additional benefits of having a well-structured and optimized web URL:
Introduction to URL Structure:
Have you ever noticed the web address, or URL, of a website? Turns out, it’s not just a random jumble of letters and symbols. The way a URL is set up can actually impact how well a website shows up on Google and how easy it is for people to find and understand. In this article, we’re going to talk about why a good URL structure is important for making your website stand out on search engines and keeping visitors happy.
Why Care About Website URL Structure?
Help Google Find You:
Search engines like Google send out little programs to check and organize all the information on the internet. A good URL helps search engine programs understand what your page is about, making it more likely to show up when people search for related things.
Make Visitors Happy:
A simple and clear web address is not just for computers; it’s for people too! When your web address is easy to read and remember, it makes it simpler for visitors to know what your page is about.
Get More Clicks:
Think of the URL as the first impression of your webpage. If it looks trustworthy and matches what people are searching for, they’re more likely to click on it. This is important for getting more visitors to your site.
Tips for creating SEO Friendly Website URL or Web Addresses:
Keep It Simple:
Use short and straightforward web addresses. Make it easy for everyone to understand what your page is about.
Add Important Words:
Put words in the URL that are related to what your page is about. This helps both people and search engines know the main topic.
Use Lowercase Letters:
Stick to lowercase letters. It might seem small, but it helps prevent confusion and keeps things consistent.
Avoid Weird Characters:
Stay away from using symbols that aren’t letters or numbers. Stick to basic stuff like hyphens or underscores.
Choose Your Preferred Style:
Decide if you want your web address to start with “www” or not. This helps avoid having different versions of the same page floating around.
Cut Out unnecessary Words:
Sometimes, words like “and” or “the” don’t need to be in the URL. Keep it short and sweet.
Keep Things the Same:
Use the same style for all your web addresses. Consistency makes everything easier for people and search engines.
Here are examples of well-structured URLs that follow best practices for SEO:
Simple and Descriptive:
Good URL: https://www.example.com/best-places-to-travel
Bad URL: https://www.example.com/post123
Include Target Keywords:
Good URL: https://www.example.com/organic-gardening-tips
Bad URL: https://www.example.com/article?id=987
Use Lowercase Letters:
Good URL: https://www.example.com/product-reviews
Bad URL: https://www.example.com/Product-Reviews
Avoid Special Characters:
Good URL: https://www.example.com/how-to-cook-healthy
Bad URL: https://www.example.com/how_to_cook_healthy
Canonicalization:
Good URL: https://example.com/important-page
Good URL : https://www.example.com/important-page
(Choose one format and use canonicalization to indicate your preferred version)
Remove Stop Words:
Good URL: https://www.example.com/top-10-recipes
Bad URL: https://www.example.com/the-top-10-recipes
Consistency:
Good URL: https://www.example.com/blog/healthy-living/tips
Good URL: https://www.example.com/blog/healthy-living/benefits
(Consistent structure across related pages)
Remember, the key is to create URLs that are easy to read, relevant to the content, and give users and search engines a clear idea of what the page is about.
Here are additional benefits of having a well-structured and optimized web URL:
Improved User Trust:
A clean and organized URL contributes to a positive user experience. When visitors see a clear and concise web address, it instills confidence and trust in the content they are about to access.
Enhanced Shareability:
Simple and memorable URLs are more likely to be shared on social media platforms and other websites. This can increase the visibility of your content and drive more traffic to your site.
Easier Navigation:
A well-organized URL provides a roadmap for users, making it easier for them to navigate your site. Users can understand the structure of your website by looking at the URL, improving overall navigation.
Reduced Bounce Rate:
When users click on a link with a clear and relevant URL, they are more likely to find what they’re looking for. This can lead to a lower bounce rate, indicating that visitors are staying on your site and exploring multiple pages.
Mobile Friendliness:
In the era of mobile browsing, concise URLs are particularly valuable. Short and descriptive URLs are easier to type on mobile devices and contribute to a smoother mobile user experience.
Faster Loading Times:
While the structure of the URL itself doesn’t directly impact loading times, a well-optimized URL often reflects a well-organized website. Proper organization can contribute to faster loading times, positively affecting both user experience and SEO.
Reduced Risk of Errors:
Clear and straightforward URLs reduce the likelihood of typos and errors when users manually type in the web address. This can prevent users from landing on error pages and improve overall site accessibility.
Facilitates SEO Audits:
During SEO audits or analysis, having a logical and consistent URL structure makes it easier for webmasters and SEO professionals to assess the health of a website. It streamlines the process of identifying and fixing issues related to URL optimization.
Easier to Manage and Update:
A well-organized URL structure makes it simpler for website administrators to manage and update content. This is particularly important for large websites with numerous pages, as it streamlines the maintenance process.
Adaptability to Content Changes:
If your website undergoes content changes, a clear URL structure makes it easier to update and adapt without causing confusion for users or search engines. It ensures a seamless transition when modifying or adding pages.
Conclusion:
Creating a good web address is like giving your webpage a friendly and easy-to-follow sign. By making sure your URL is simple, includes important words, and follows some basic rules, you’re not just helping search engines find you – you’re also making it more likely that people will click on your page. So, the next time you’re setting up a website, take a little extra time to think about your URL. It might just make a big difference!
Check out our article, “What is On Page SEO, Off Page SEO and Technical SEO”.
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