URL structure
What is the URL of the page? How will the URL structure affect our SEO? In this article, while answering the common ambiguities about the URL, which is one of the important factors of internal SEO, we intend to fully introduce this URL, which is one of the important factors in attracting users’ attention.
What is a URL?
URL, which stands for Uniform Resource Locator, is an integrated way to locate resources in the digital world. Theoretically, each valid URL points to a unique source. These resources can include an HTML page, a CSS document, or even an image. Simply put, URLs are the URLs that appear in the top bar of the browser. In practice, there are some special cases, the most common of which is a URL that points to a source that no longer exists or has been moved. Of course, the web owner is responsible for the accurate management of resources and URLs. The URL consists of three parts:
• Communication protocols such as http and https to access websites
• Final destination (actually the same addresses)
• Internal addresses and details related to the source
Impact of URL on SEO
To begin with, you need to know that the impact of URL on SEO, like other important factors, is significant. If we want to say comprehensively about the importance of URLs in SEO, it is clear that the proper structure of your URL can help index pages. Also, the keywords chosen to fit into the URL structure can affect your brand ranking. You know that Google pays a lot of attention to elements whose goals are focused on attracting users. URL is also one of those elements. When it comes to URL structure and its importance in SEO, you need to know how your site URL can affect your PageRank. Although URL structure optimization is not one of our main goals, you can still use it to compete in the digital world and improve your business ranking.
The importance of choosing the right domain name
The first element that is visible to users from your site is your URL. Now you are the one who, with your right choice, cares about attracting the audience. On the other hand, not paying attention to this structure and placing a URL contrary to the needs and tastes of users can reduce your visitors. In the past, domain names were more popular with search engines, but over time, many websites have gained more position than they deserve by using absolute keywords in these URLs. Finally, by updating its algorithms, Google has reduced the impact of using keywords for rankings, so that today, their extreme placement in the URL structure can also be troublesome for digital brand rankings.
What should we pay attention to when writing the URL?
So far, you know the importance of URLs in optimization; Now how do you create a basic URL structure that meets search engine standards? How can a structure be presented according to the innumerable tastes of users? There are many points in the field of creating a page address structure, and in the following we are going to introduce the most important and most important points that are also relevant to SEO.
1. Remove extra and trivial words
“Beauty is in simplicity.” Famous sentences that apply even in URL structure! Now, to make the address easier to read and clear, remove extra words like “from, and, with and” in your structure.
2. Do not overdo the use of keywords
We explained that excessive use of keywords in the page URL structure can have a negative impact on your SEO. It all started with the 2012 Google Algorithms Update.
3. Put keywords in the URL structure
The structure of your page address is always considered by search engines and crawlers. You can show them the topic and content of your site by setting keyword principles. We repeat! Do not overuse keywords.
4. Separate words with underline and hyphen
Instead of using space between words, it is recommended to separate the words with a space. This is Google’s standard because it allows users and search engines to read better and clearer URLs.
5. Relationship between URL and page content
If users find out the content of your page by reading your page URL, which is loaded according to their search results page; Undoubtedly, half of their needs and wants have been met and you will receive positive clicks and site traffic. We suggest that you include a maximum of one or two words related to the content of the page in your URL structure.
Remember that the URL structure is always monitored by users and search engines. In fact, it’s part of your brand prestige! So when creating it, take the above points seriously. In the following, we will mention other ways to optimize the page address.
What are some ways to optimize your URL structure?
• It is recommended to use lowercase letters.
• Follow the categories.
• Simplify the structure.
• Use fewer shots.
• Preferably do not use numbers.
• Set a specific URL for the site home page.
• Remove file extensions from the end of the structure.
Now you have learned all the tips and tricks of using a standard structure to rank your site. Note that over time, the importance of each of these points may increase or decrease.
The impact of URL change on SEO
If we decide to change our brand URL; What points should we follow? Another concern of website owners is to change the URL structure and how to do it right. When you change your URL, crawlers entering your site to index your pages will receive a 404 error, which will result in the rapid deletion of your indexed pages, which will rank your site in search engines. Will reduce dramatically. What can be done to prevent this from happening and to safely change the URL structure? There are two ways you can save indexed pages while changing your page URL.
1. Using Redirect 301
With Redirect 301 you can easily let crawlers change the address of your page so that they can make your new address the source of the pages.
2. Using canonical tags
The use of canonical tags has also made it possible for webmasters to easily show the main URL of their site to crawlers. Avoid changing the URL as much as possible. But if you need to change, be sure to follow the principles and standards of Google search engines.
Conclusion
We said at the beginning that the effects of URL on SEO are not enough to be an important element of optimization. But do not forget that you are operating in a passionate and competitive digital world, and to be the best, it is necessary that all external and internal factors of your site are first class. Also, in case of any problem in the field of your SEO, you can refer to the SEO consulting system of our collection. You can also take an SEO course to learn SEO topics in a completely specialized and practical way. Contact us to participate in the SEO course. What experience do you have with the effects of page address structure on SEO? Share with us.