How to Create SEO-Friendly URLs in 6 Steps

Seo friendly URLs are not only user-friendly but also Search engine friendly. It helps users and search engines quickly understand the entire webpage. There are several techniques for crafting SEO-friendly URLs; some of the techniques are using short URLs, hyphens, and keywords, and these all collaborate to provide a perfect url. These practices along with quality content and strategies make your web page rank well. A perfect URL will be typically short, descriptive but most importantly, relevant.

URLs serve as the fundamental links to access any webpage, regardless of the platform it is created on. Say Prestashop for instance. Crafting Prestshop friendly or SEO friendly URLs is essential as they contribute to improving your webpage’s ranking.

Effective SEO-friendly URLs are typically short, descriptive, and relevant. Below, we will explore the key principles for creating such URLs.

SEO-Friendly URLs and User Experience

SEO isn’t just about search engines; it’s also about users. Search engines prefer a user-centric approach, which ultimately helps your website index faster and rank better!

A carefully constructed URL can greatly improve user experience by ensuring ease of reading and understanding. Users are more likely to click on URLs that are clean and descriptive. URLs must say where they are leading you.

The Importance of URLs in SEO

There are several misconceptions about the role URLs play in Google rankings. While URLs alone won’t determine your ranking (spoiler alert: there isn’t a handbook to ranking), they contribute alongside title tags, link anchor text, and the content itself.

Search engines use your web page’s URL to understand its content. Well-optimized URLs can influence user behavior, which indirectly affects your SEO. Therefore, making URLs both SEO-friendly and user-friendly is crucial.

Breaking Down the Components of a URL

Before we move on the best part, let’s understand what a URL is actually composed of!

A URL generally consists of six parts:

1. Protocol: The “https://” part of the URL, which indicates a secure connection.
2. Subdomain: The primary section of the website (e.g., “blog”).
3. Domain: The main part of the website (e.g., “example”).
4. Top-Level Domain (TLD): The “.com” part of the website, denoting the domain category.
5. Subfolder: A subtopic within the URL, allowing for multiple subfolders (e.g., “subtopic”).
6. Slug: The most important part, representing the actual topic of your webpage (e.g., “blog-post”).

“https://blog.example.com/subtopic/blog-post”

Most SEO friendly URL rules apply to the slug. Let’s explore some best practices.

Best Practices for Creating SEO-Friendly URLs

1. Use Short URLs and Keywords:

Your URL should contain the keyword you want your page to rank for. Keywords signal to Google what the page is about, as well as provides clarity to the user.

Let’s take a look at this example!

• For a webpage about SEO tools, the URL could be:
  https://example.com/seo-url.

1. Use Hyphens and Lowercase Letters:

Make your URL user-friendly and search engine-friendly by using hyphens to separate words. Avoid underscores and spaces because they are less readable, can cause errors, and are not recognized as word separators by search engines. Always use lowercase letters to prevent redirects and 404 errors.

• Example: https://example.com/seo-url instead of https://example.com/SEO_Url.

1. Use Subfolders Instead of Subdomains: Well-organized subfolders help users and search engines understand the site structure. Subfolders can be used without hurting your ranking.  Subdomains are not preferred to use because they can dilute your site’s authority by splitting your content across multiple domains, making it harder for search engines to consolidate and rank your content effectively.

• Example: https://example.com/tools/seo/create/seo-url indicates a specific page within tools.

1. Add Keyword Modifiers: Include related keywords in your URLs to provide context. Keyword modifiers refer to the words users put in their search bars to get the optimal result.

This practice, similar to using keywords in title tags and headings, helps improve SEO.

• Example: Adding modifiers like “best,” “guide,” or “review” can enhance relevance: https://example.com/best-seo-url-guide.

1. Avoid Dates and Dynamic URLs: Dates make URLs longer and complicate content updates. Also putting the date in a URL leads to search engines’ de-rank the webpage because what was relevant in 2023 is no longer needed in 2024.

Dynamic URLs can cause duplicate content issues and confuse users, harming your organic click-through rate.

• Example: Avoid URLs like https://example.com/2021/07/seo-url.

1. Avoid Special Characters: Special characters (e.g., commas, semicolons, spaces) complicate URLs, making them harder to link and recognize correctly by search engines automatically.

• Example: Stick to alphanumeric characters and hyphens for clarity.

Examples of SEO-Friendly and Non-Friendly URLs

• SEO-Friendly URL:
  • https://example.com/seo-url-guide
  • https://example.com/digital-marketing-tips
• Non-Friendly URL:
  • https://example.com/2021/07/seo_url_guide
  • https://example.com/index.php?id=12345

Top Tips for SEO Friendly URLs

1. Keeping URLs Consistent Across Your Site

Consistency in your URLs helps in maintaining a structured and organized website. This consistency aids both users and search engines in navigating and indexing your site efficiently. Ensure that your URL structure is logical and follows a clear hierarchy.

2.  Monitoring and Updating Your URLs

Regularly monitor your URLs to ensure they remain relevant and SEO-friendly. Use tools like Google Analytics and Search Console to track URL performance and make necessary updates. Avoid changing URLs frequently, but when you must, use 301 redirects to maintain link equity.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Using Auto-Generated URLs: Often long and irrelevant, lacking keywords.
2. Overstuffing Keywords: Makes URLs look spammy and hard to read.
3. Ignoring HTTPS: Secure URLs (HTTPS) are preferred by search engines.
4. Forgetting About Redirections: Failing to set up proper redirects can lead to broken links and loss of traffic.

By following these best practices and tips, you can create prestashop friendly URLs that enhance both user experience and search engine performance. A well-optimized URL structure is a crucial component of your overall SEO strategy.