Often our goal is to rank our site at the top of search engine result pages (SERPs). In such cases, your domain and URL structure can make a significant difference. While changing the URL might seem simple, if not done correctly, it can lead to devastating results. This article will help you understand the details of changing your URL structure without affecting your SEO.
Why Does Changing the URL Structure Affect SEO?
Changing your URL structure impacts SEO because when an article is posted with a specific URL, such as xyz.com/2022/11/11/post-title, it gets indexed and starts appearing on SERPs. If you decide to change your URL structure to improve readability or organization, any existing links to the old URL will result in a 404 error if not managed correctly. This can lead to a dip in your rankings on SERPs. To avoid this, it’s crucial to implement 301 redirects from the old URL to the new one.
What Does a Proper URL Structure Look Like?
If you’re using WordPress, Shopify, or other content management systems, they usually have well-defined URL structures.
Examples of Good URL Structures:
xyz.com/topic/post-title
xyz.com/topic/sub-topic/post-title
Examples of Harmful URL Structures:
xyz.com/2022/06/11/post-title
xyz.com/p?=1234
xyz.com/category/sub-category/too-long-headings?id=1234&utm_source=Twitter&utm_campaign=social
Key Points for Writing Effective URLs
1. Keep the URLs short and simple.
Ex: https://www.xyz.com/blog/post-title
2. Write organised URLs.
Ex: https://www.xyz.com/category/sub-category/product-name
3. Use the keywords naturally.
4. Avoid Using Stop Words: Words like ‘a’, ‘an’, and ‘the’ should be excluded.
When Should You Change Your URL Structure for SEO Reasons?
Ideally, you should avoid changing your URL structure once the site is live. However, there are certain instances where modifying your URL structure can improve findability, usability, and shareability.
Instances for Changing URL Structure:
Long, Unshareable URLs: Long URLs can be cumbersome to share.
Lack of Clarity: URLs that don’t clearly indicate the content of the page.
Organizational Improvements: Reorganizing your site’s structure for better navigation and SEO.
Tips for Changing Your URL Structure Without Affecting SEO
Keep URLs Clear and Descriptive
Avoid Keyword Stuffing
Use Hyphens (-) Only, No Special Characters
Implement 301 Redirects: Ensure that old URLs redirect to the new URLs to maintain SEO value.
Conclusion
Changing your URL structure can be a valuable step in improving your site’s usability and SEO. However, it’s essential to approach this process carefully to avoid negative impacts on your search engine rankings. By keeping URLs clear and descriptive, avoiding keyword stuffing, using appropriate characters, and implementing 301 redirects, you can successfully update your URL structure without compromising your SEO efforts. Proper planning and execution will ensure that your site remains user-friendly and maintains its visibility on search engine result pages.