Are you looking for ways to improve your website’s ranking on Google? Want to learn how to structure your URL’s to generate more search engine traffic?

FME Modules share their SEO tips in this infographic.

They cover the following:

• Human readability
• Canonical tags
• Keyword use
• Folder usage
• Hyphens

Check out the infographic for more detail.

 

In the dynamic world of digital marketing, search engine optimization (SEO) remains a critical aspect of improving your website’s visibility and driving organic traffic. While there are numerous strategies to boost your site’s SEO, one often overlooked yet highly influential factor is URL structure.

The way you structure your website’s URLs can significantly impact how search engines perceive and rank your content. In this article, we’ll delve into 10 crucial tips for structuring URLs to enhance your website’s SEO performance and help it climb higher in Google’s search rankings.

 

Improve Human Readability

URLs should not only be optimized for search engines but also for human readers. A user-friendly URL is more likely to be clicked on and shared. A URL that clearly reflects the content of the page provides a sense of trustworthiness and relevance to users. Compare these two URLs:

• Non-readable URL: example.com/p=12345
• Readable URL: example.com/tips-for-healthy-eating

The latter URL is not only informative but also gives users an idea of what to expect from the page.

• Use Descriptive Words: Craft URLs that give users a clear idea of what the page is about. Avoid cryptic characters or strings of numbers.
• Trim Unnecessary Elements: Remove any excess parameters, session IDs, or tracking codes that clutter your URLs.
• Include Key Phrases: Incorporate primary keywords or key phrases that reflect the page’s content and purpose.

 

Remove All Page ID Numbers and Special Characters

URLs containing random page ID numbers or special characters can be confusing for both users and search engines. Such URLs provide no context about the page’s content and can negatively affect your site’s SEO. Aim to remove these unnecessary elements from your URLs and replace them with descriptive words that indicate the page’s topic.

• Clean Up Dynamic URLs: If your URLs contain page IDs or query parameters, consider using URL rewriting techniques to make them more user-friendly and SEO-friendly.
• Replace Special Characters: Substitute special characters with hyphens or words that describe the content. For instance, change %20 to hyphens for spaces.

 

Canonicalize URLs

Canonicalization refers to selecting a preferred URL format when multiple versions of a page exist. For instance, a page might be accessible through both http:// and https:// protocols, with or without the ‘www’ subdomain.

Search engines might consider these variations as duplicate content, potentially diluting your SEO efforts. By setting a canonical URL, you signal to search engines which version of the URL should be treated as the authoritative one.

• Set Preferred Domain: Decide whether your website should be accessed with or without ‘www’ and ensure all versions of your site redirect to the chosen version.
• Use Canonical Tags: Implement canonical tags in your HTML to indicate the preferred version of a page if there are duplicate versions.

 

Use Keywords in URLs

Incorporating relevant keywords into your URLs can give a clear signal to search engines about the content of your page. However, avoid keyword stuffing and prioritize readability.

A URL like example.com/best-running-shoes-for-marathons not only includes keywords but also informs users about the page’s content.

• Research Keywords: Identify relevant keywords that users are likely to search for when looking for content similar to yours.
• Place Keywords Early: Include primary keywords near the beginning of the URL to increase their visibility and impact.

 

Match URL to Title When Possible, But Keep It Short

While it’s advantageous to have a URL that aligns with the page’s title, it’s essential to keep the URL concise. Long URLs can be unwieldy and challenging for users to remember or share. Strive for a balance between a descriptive URL and a concise one.

• Prioritize Relevance: Whenever feasible, create URLs that closely mirror the page’s title or main topic. This coherence reinforces the page’s context for both users and search engines.
• Trim Excess Words: Keep URLs concise by removing non-essential words like “and,” “the,” or prepositions.

 

Don’t Include Stop Words

Stop words are common words like “and,” “the,” “of,” etc., that search engines tend to ignore because they carry little meaning. Including stop words in your URLs can make them longer without adding significant value.

Compare these two URLs:

• Use the URL example.com/tips-for-choosing-the-best-laptop
• Instead of example.com/choosing-best-laptop-tips

The latter version is cleaner and still conveys the same message.

 

Fewer Folders Are Better

A well-structured URL path with fewer subfolders is generally more favorable for SEO. Each level of nesting adds complexity and can make the URL look cluttered.

Compare these two URLs:

• Complex URL: example.com/blog/category/health/diet/tips-for-healthy-eating
• Simplified URL: example.com/health/diet/tips-for-healthy-eating

The simplified URL is not only shorter but also easier to understand and remember.

• Avoid Over-Nesting: Limit the number of subfolders in your URLs to create a clean and straightforward structure.
• Use Logical Hierarchy: Organize subfolders in a way that mirrors your site’s content hierarchy for better navigation and URL readability.

 

Hyphens Are Preferred Separators

When separating words in your URLs, hyphens (-) are recommended over underscores (_) or other special characters.

Compare these two URLs:

• Use example.com/best-laptops-2023
• Instead of example.com/best_laptops_2023

Search engines interpret hyphens as word separators, while underscores are often seen as connectors within a single word.

• Choose Hyphens: Select hyphens to separate words in URLs instead of underscores or other characters.
• Avoid Underscores: Search engines treat hyphens as word separators, while underscores can be seen as part of a single word.

 

Limit Redirection Loop to One or a Maximum of Two

Redirection loops occur when a URL points to another URL, which then redirects back to the original URL, creating an infinite loop. Search engines may interpret this as a mistake or attempt to manipulate rankings. Limiting redirection loops to one or two steps helps maintain a clear and logical URL structure, which is essential for SEO.

• Audit Redirects: Regularly review your site’s redirects to identify any unintended or excessive redirection loops.
• Implement Clear Redirect Chains: Keep redirection paths concise and well-structured to prevent confusion and negative SEO implications.

 

Consolidate www and non-www Domain Versions

Your website should be accessible through either the ‘www’ subdomain or the non-‘www’ version. However, having both versions accessible can lead to duplicate content issues in search engines’ eyes. To prevent this, set a preferred version of your domain (with or without ‘www’) and redirect the other version to the chosen one. This consolidation ensures that all SEO efforts are concentrated on a single domain.

• Pick a Preferred Version: Decide whether your site will use the ‘www’ or non-‘www’ version as the primary domain. This choice should align with your branding and preferences.
• Set Up 301 Redirects: Configure permanent redirects (301 redirects) from the non-preferred version to the preferred version to consolidate your site’s authority and avoid duplicate content issues.

 

Conclusion

While URL structure might not be the first thing that comes to mind when optimizing your website for search engines, it is undoubtedly a crucial factor that can influence your site’s visibility and ranking. By following these 10 SEO tips for structuring URLs, you can enhance your website’s user experience, improve its search engine rankings, and ultimately drive more organic traffic.

Remember, the goal is to create URLs that are both search engine-friendly and user-friendly, striking the right balance between optimization and readability.