User-friendly URLs for your website
When we think about designing a website, we often focus on the visual aspect and the functionality of the page. However, there is one element that is sometimes overlooked, but is crucial for a good user experience and search engine optimization: the URL structure of your website.
A well-designed and user-friendly URL structure can have a significant impact on how users experience your site and how well it performs in search results. Here are some reasons why it's worth spending time and attention on optimizing your URLs
Readability and comprehensibility
A clear and understandable URL helps visitors immediately understand what the page is about before they open it. For example, a URL like www.voorbeeldwebsite.com/artikel/10-tips-voor-gebruiksvriendelijke-url-structuren is much more informative than www.voorbeeldwebsite.com/index.php?id=123. If you don't change this in popular content management systems like WordPress, the second construct is active by default. To fix this, you can refer to the documentation of your CMS. If you are already using MijnHostingPartner.nl hosting , you can also take a look at the following knowledge base category:
https://www.mijnhostingpartner.nl/client/knowledgebase/web-ontwikkeling/fouten-en-overig/mod-rewrite-en-seo/
In WordPress, all you have to do is go to Settings -> Permalinks -> and then customize the permalinks to your liking.
Navigation and usability
Users use the URL bar to navigate within a website. An intuitive URL structure makes it easier for them to go directly to specific pages or understand the structure of the website. However, this will only be a small percentage of users who proceed in this manner. More importantly, a readable URL looks much more user-friendly. And thus less daunting than a series of numbers and codes.
SEO benefits
Search engines like Google value the structure of URLs. A well-optimized URL can contribute to better rankings in search results. Using relevant keywords in the URL can also help your site's discoverability. However, you shouldn't overdo it with this. Use only the main keyword or those closely related to it in the title and URL. On the contrary, overuse can be harmful. As an example for a greengrocer, you should not use /vegetables-apeldoorn-apples-pears-plums-cherries, but /vegetables-in-apeldoorn and use the rest of the keywords on the page itself and not directly in the URL structure.
Easy sharing and linking
A user-friendly URL is easy to copy and share. This is especially important for social media and spreading your content around the web. It also encourages others to link to your site.
Easier management and maintenance
An organized URL structure makes it easier for you, the site owner, to manage and maintain the site. It helps to quickly find specific pages and make changes.
Tips for a user-friendly URL structure:
Use readable words: avoid long strings of numbers and special characters. Instead, use words that describe the content of the page.
Keep the URL short and relevant: Short URLs are easier to remember and enter. Make sure the URL accurately reflects the content of the page.
Use hyphens: Use hyphens (-) to separate words. This improves readability for both humans and search engines.
Avoid capital letters and special characters: Capital letters, spaces, and special characters can cause problems in URLs. Always use lowercase letters and hyphens.
Be consistent: Make sure you have a consistent structure for all pages on your website. This makes the site clearer and avoids confusion.
Optimizing your site's URL structure is a small but important step in creating a user-friendly, high-performing site. Take the time to review your URLs and adjust them as needed - your users and search engines will thank you.
