How to Create SEO-Friendly URLs

What is a URL?

A URL (Uniform Resource Locator) is the address you use to find resources like web pages, images, and files on the internet. It has several parts:

• Protocol: How you access the resource (e.g., HTTP or HTTPS).
• Domain Name: The website’s name (e.g., www.example.com).
• Path: The specific location of the resource on the server (e.g., /page1).
• Query Parameters: Extra information sent to the server (e.g., ?id=123).

URLs help browsers find and retrieve the resources you want to access and interact with. 

What are SEO-Friendly URLs?

• SEO-friendly URLs are designed to be easy for users to read and understand and help search engines figure out what a web page is about. These URLs are usually short, descriptive, and include important keywords.
• For example: example.com/villa-vs-apartment
• This type of URL helps search engines index pages better and makes it easier for users to remember.

How to Create an SEO-Friendly URL Structure

Creating SEO-friendly URLs involves following some best practices to improve search engine indexing and user experience

• Use Keywords

Include relevant keywords that describe the page content. This helps people understand what the URL links to, especially when shared on social media or in an email.

For Example:

• Correct: example.com/villa-vs-apartment
• Incorrect: example.com/123?abc

• Keep URLs Short and Simple

Avoid unnecessary words and keep URLs concise. Ensure the keywords in your URL describe your page content accurately.

For Example:

• Correct: example.com/villa-apartment-differences
• Incorrect: example.com/what-is-the-difference-between-a-villa-and-an-apartment

• Use Hyphens to Separate Words

• • • Use hyphens (-) to separate words for better readability and search engine recognition.

• For Example:

• • • Correct: example.com/villa-vs-apartment
    • Incorrect: example.com/villa_vs_apartment

• Use Lowercase Letters

• • Avoid using capital letters, as they can make URLs look messy and hard to read. While search engines understand both uppercase and lowercase, using a mix can sometimes lead to duplicate content issues.

• For Example:

• Correct: example.com/villa-apartment-differences
• Incorrect: example.com/Villa-Apartment-Differences

• Avoid Special Characters

• • Exclude special characters (e.g., &, %, $) as they can complicate URL readability and indexing.

• For Example:

• Correct: example.com/top-10-villa-apartment-tips
• Incorrect: example.com/top-10-villa-&-apartment-tips

• Use a Logical Hierarchy

• • Reflect the site’s structure in the URL, making it clear and intuitive.

• For Example:

• Correct: example.com/category/subcategory/page
• Incorrect: example.com/page?category=123&subcategory=456

• Avoid Dynamic Parameters

• Minimize the use of dynamic parameters in your URLs.

• For Example:

• Correct: example.com/product/laptop
• Incorrect: example.com/product?sessionid=abc123

• URL Structure in SEO – Static vs. Dynamic

• Static URLs

• • Static URLs have fixed content unless manually changed. They are generally better for SEO because they are easier for search engines to index.

• Characteristics:

• • Fixed and Unchanging: The URL does not change over time.
  • SEO-Friendly: Often include relevant keywords.
  • Efficient Indexing: Easier for search engines to crawl and index.
  • Faster Loading: No extra server-side processing is required.

• Dynamic URLs

• • Dynamic URLs are generated from a database in response to a search. They can be less SEO-friendly and harder for search engines to index quickly.

• Characteristics:

• • Variable Structure: This can change based on server-side processing.
  • SEO Challenges: May be less favorable for SEO if parameters are excessive or not optimized.
  • Processing Overhead: This may require additional server resources, potentially affecting load speed.

• If you are working with dynamic pages, you can attract more traffic quickly due to their ability to offer personalized and frequently updated content.

• Subdomain vs. Subdirectory: Which Is Better for SEO?

• Subdomains:

• • Definition: A subdomain is an extended part of your domain name, acting as a separate site (e.g., shoes.onlineshop.com).
  • Use Cases: Commonly used for blogs, e-commerce sections, support, international sites, etc.

• SEO Implications:

• • Can complicate site maintenance and data analysis.
  • Google says both subdomains and subdirectories are fine for SEO if used correctly.

• When to Use: Suitable for distinct content sections, international sites, testing environments, etc.

• Subdirectories:

• Definition: A subdirectory is a folder within the main domain (e.g., onlineshop.com/shoes).
• Use Cases: Used for organizing website content into categories or sections.
• SEO Implications:
  • Simplifies data tracking and analysis.
  • When to Use: Ideal for easier management, consistent branding, and simpler technical setups.

• Both options can be SEO-friendly if properly optimized with targeted keywords, on-page SEO, backlinks, and technical SEO best practices.

• Conclusion

• Implementing SEO-friendly URLs is essential for improving user experience and search engine optimization. By using relevant keywords, keeping URLs short and simple, utilizing hyphens, avoiding special characters, and maintaining a logical hierarchy, you make your URLs easy to read and index. Whether dealing with static or dynamic URLs, following these practices will enhance your website’s visibility, drive more traffic, and improve search engine rankings.