Best URL Structure for SEO In 2025?
Everyone wants their website to fulfill the demand for SEO ranking. After all, when it comes to SEO, every detail matters. One of the most important details is the URL structure of the website.
A great URL structure supports the search engines to recognize the content of a page very well. It also improves the user experience and makes it easy for visitors to operate the site. In this blog, we will discover the essentials of what makes a URL structure good for SEO and how to improve the URL structure to increase the website's performance.
What is a URL?
URL stands for Uniform Resource Locator. It is the address of a webpage on the Internet, just like a street address for a house, but instead for online locations.
URLs are the links that people click on to go directly to web pages from search engine results, for example:
What Is URL
Protocol: Specifically used for the connection. In the above link protocol is "http://"
Subdomain: It is used to define different sections or functions of a website. In this case, the subdomain is "www."
Domain: It identifies the website itself. "digipixinc.com" is the main domain name.
Top-Level Domain: It indicates the type of organization or the nature of the domain. In this instance, “.com” is typically used for commercial sites.
Path: This refers to the specific path or location on the website. In this case, "/" is just the root directory of the site.
Basics of a Good URL Structure
There are a few basics of a good URL structure, some of which include:
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Basic Of Good URL Structure
1. Clarity and Simplicity
When you talk about URL structure, clarity, and simplicity is the key. A good URL must be easy to read and understandable both for humans and search engines. For example, https://www.digipixinc.com/ is much clearer and simple.
Just have a look at this URL "http://www.example.com/2896" It is complicated and unable to recognize the address of the web page.
SEO experts, like Rand Fishkin, often emphasize that a clear and simple URL structure is crucial for both search engine optimization and enhancing user experience. A well-organized URL can make navigation easier and improve site visibility in search engine results
2. Keywords in URLs
Using keywords as naturally as possible in the URL is also just as important, but only if it fits. Relevant keywords in the URL can significantly improve SEO, especially if they are readable. These keywords help search engines to know what your page is about.
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For example, if the page is about the best coffee shops in Canada, a URL like “http://www.example.com/best-coffee-shops-canada” is perfect.
According to marketing experts like Neil Patel, incorporating relevant keywords into your URLs can provide a slight ranking advantage while also making the page more user-friendly by offering a clear indication of the content.
3. Avoiding Special Characters
Don't use special characters like &, @, and % in the URL. It can confuse search engines and lead to errors. To avoid this issue use hyphens to separate the words in the URL.
For example, http://www.example.com/best-coffee-shops is preferable to http://www.example.com/best&coffee$shops.
How to Create SEO-Friendly URLs
If you want to come up with SEO-friendly URLs, try following the tips given below.
Create SEO-Friendly URLs
1. Keep it Short
It is a cardinal rule to use short URLs or sentences to get your website to rank. Short URLs are easier to read, remember, and share. Don’t compromise clarity for quantity.
For instance, http://www.example.com/best-coffee-shops is concise and informative, while http://www.example.com/best-coffee-shops-in-canada-downtown-area is too long.
URL Length and SEO Performance
|
URL Length (Characters) |
SEO Performance |
|
< 50 |
Excellent |
|
50 - 60 |
Good |
|
60 - 70 |
Average |
|
> 70 |
Poor |
2. Lowercase Letters Only
Using lowercase letters in URLs is user-friendly and extremely helpful. If you use http://www.example.com/Best-Coffee-Shops and http://www.example.com/best-coffee-shops it could be seen as two different URLs, leading to potential issues. Stick to lowercase letters to avoid confusion and keep things minimal.
3. Static vs Dynamic URLs
Static URLs remain constant and do not change, while dynamic URLs can change and often include parameters like ?id=123. However, static URLs are more preferable for SEO because they are cleaner and easier for search engines to index.
For instance, http://www.example.com/best-coffee-shops is a static URL, whereas http://www.example.com/page?id=123 is dynamic.
4. Maintain URL Hierarchy and Structure
URL structures tend to reflect the hierarchy of a website. It helps both users and search engines to realize the relationships between different pages.
Hierarchical URL Structure
|
Main Category |
Subcategory |
URL |
|
Coffee Shops |
Canada |
http://www.example.com/coffee-shops/canada |
|
Coffee Shops |
England |
http://www.example.com/coffee-shops/england |
|
Tea Houses |
Switzerland |
http://www.example.com/coffee-shops/switzerland |
5. Consistent Naming Conventions
Consistency is key, even for URLs. Always use the same naming convention to maintain clarity and professionalism. For example, if you use hyphens to separate words in your URLs, don’t switch to underscores or any other format later on. Stick to one format to garner organic traffic over time.
How to Find Tools and Resources for URL Optimization?
There are various tools and resources to optimize the URL structure, such as online SEO tools or digital case studies.
Tools like Moz, SEMrush and Ahrefs can analyze website URLs and provide insights on how to improve them. These tools help you identify issues like overly long URLs, missing keywords, and more.
Moreover, learning from others is incredibly valuable. Look for case studies and guides that show successful URL optimization strategies. Websites like Moz, Search Engine Journal, and Neil Patel’s blog are excellent resources to build your SEO wisdom.
Final Takeaway
Optimizing your URL structure is a vital part of SEO that can lead to significant improvements in the website’s performance. By following the best practices outlined in this guide, such as keeping URLs clear and simple, using relevant keywords, and maintaining a logical hierarchy—you can create URLs that are both user-friendly and search engine-friendly.
DigiPix helps simplify the URL structure, checking it’s clear, concise, and SEO-friendly, so the website stands out and performs at its best. Contact us now for an in-depth SEO audit and analysis of your website!
Unlock the benefits of local SEO with DigiPix our proven strategies connect your business with nearby customers, increase foot traffic & drive qualified leads.
Improve your local search rankings, appear in Google Maps results & build credibility with campaigns designed to maximize your reach.
See measurable growth with enhanced visibility, more website visits from local customers & a strategy focused on dominating local searches.
Start Free Now
FAQs
How long should a URL be?
Ideally, URLs should be under 60 characters. This keeps them readable and shareable. However, don’t sacrifice clarity for brevity.
Can I change existing URLs?
Yes, changing URLs can lead to broken links and a loss of SEO value if not done correctly. Always set up proper 301 redirects from the old URLs to the new ones.
What if my URL structure is already messy?
It’s never too late to clean up your URL structure. Start by identifying the most problematic URLs and fix them gradually. Use 301 redirects to ensure you don’t lose any SEO value.
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Written By: Khurram Qureshi
Founder & consultant of DigiPix Inc.
Call or text: 416-900-5825
Email: info@digipixinc.com
About The Author
In 2005, Khurram Qureshi started DigiPix Inc. which started off as a design agency offering video editing to professional photography, video production & post production, website designs and 3D Animations and has now expanded towards online marketing and business consultancy. Khurram Qureshi also is a motivational figure and participates in local and international platforms. He also play a role in the local community development, helping local young minds get ready to enter the job market.