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As the digital world evolves, Search Engine Optimization (SEO) has become more critical than ever for businesses to rank high in search engine results pages (SERPs). Hence, investing in SEO is something businesses cannot afford to ignore.
One infrequently talked about aspect of SEO is URL structure. Creating well-optimized URLs can boost your search engine rankings and make your site more user-friendly.
So, how do you create SEO-friendly URLs? Here’s your ultimate guide in seven simple steps:
Step 1: Keep URLs Short and Descriptive
The length and the description of the URL are essential when it comes to SEO. Try keeping the URL as brief as possible. A URL with unnecessary information (number, dates, etc.) may hurt the user’s ability to comprehend the content.
For example, instead of:
https://www.xyzcompany.com/4567/tags=consulting&date=2022-08-19
Use:
https://www.xyzcompany.com/consulting-services
The latter URL not only looks cleaner but also has clear relevance to what the user is likely to find on the page.
Step 2: Use Hyphens to Separate Words
Instead of using underscores or spaces, it’s best to use hyphens to separate words in the URL. This formatting is referred to as “friendly URL structure.” Hyphens help search engines read URL structure better and understand the combination of words in the URL.
For example, instead of:
https://www.xyzcompany.com/saltlakecitysercives
Use:
https://www.xyzcompany.com/salt-lake-city-services
Step 3: Include Relevant Keywords
Keywords play a vital role in SEO. Including relevant keywords in the URL will give a clear indication to search engines about the page’s content. However, it would be best not to use too many keywords in the URL, as it could be flagged as spam.
For example, instead of:
https://www.xyzcompany.com/seo
Use:
https://www.xyzcompany.com/reliable-seo-services
Step 4: Avoid Using Numbers or Dates
Inserting dates, numbers, or irrelevant characters in your URL can increase the length and make it unclear to users what the page is about. Thus, it’s best to avoid using any numbers or dates unless it’s necessary.
For example, instead of:
https://www.xyzcompany.com/seo-for-dummies-101
Use:
https://www.xyzcompany.com/seo-for-beginners
Step 5: Use Lowercase Letters
Consistency is key when it comes to SEO. Thus, it’s best to use lowercase letters for all URLs consistently.
Using uppercase letters may cause confusion for the user, and they may navigate away from your site. Also, search engines seeing the same URL in different letter cases may recognize them as two various URLs and result in lower search engine rankings.
For example, instead of:
https://www.xyzcompany.com/SEO-for-Beginners
Use:
https://www.xyzcompany.com/seo-for-beginners
Step 6: Make URLs Readable
The URL reflects the structure of your website, so visitors should be able to guess what they will find on the page from the URL itself. Therefore, it’s essential to make URLs readable and user-friendly.
For example, instead of:
https://www.xyzcompany.com/a8adw89cq-3880q3&t32
Use:
https://www.xyzcompany.com/digital/seo-services
Step 7: Redirect To Relevant URL
Once you attain a well-optimized URL, make sure you redirect it to the relevant page on your website. The URL redirect will prevent users from experiencing the notorious “404 not found” error and ensures that they land on the content they were searching for.
For example, instead of:
https://www.xyzcompany.com/page1
Redirect To:
https://www.xyzcompany.com/reliable-seo-services
Conclusion
Creating SEO-friendly URLs is one of the most critical aspects of on-page SEO. It helps search engines crawl your website better and provides a better user experience for visitors.
By following these simple steps, you can create URLs that accurately reflect your page’s content, making it easier for search engines to understand and index your site. Remember, the key is to keep URLs short, simple, descriptive, and readable.
