How to Optimize URLs for Better SEO
Optimizing URLs is a key factor in improving your website’s search engine rankings and enhancing the user experience. Clean, descriptive URLs - often called Friendly URLs - make it easier for both users and search engines to understand your content. In this guide, we'll break down the concept of friendly URLs, share practical examples, and walk you through optimizing your URLs effectively using the Awesome URL module.
What are friendly URLs?
Friendly URLs are short, readable web addresses that clearly describe the content of a page. Unlike complex URLs filled with numbers and symbols, friendly URLs are easy to understand and share.
Example of a Regular URL: http://example.com/index.php?id_product=123&controller=product
Example of a Friendly URL: http://example.com/product-name
Friendly URLs are beneficial because:
- They improve user experience by being easy to read.
- They boost SEO by including relevant keywords, making them more attractive to search engines.
Steps to optimize URLs using the Awesome URL module
The Awesome URL module provides tools to streamline and improve your URLs. Follow these steps to optimize your website’s URLs:
Step 1: Access the "SEO & URLs" page
From the Awesome URL module's top menu, navigate to the SEO & URLs page. This is where you’ll configure your URL settings.
Step 2: Configure URL options in the "Schema of URLs" section
Here are the key options and their impacts:
- Remove ID in URL: Eliminates numeric IDs from URLs for a cleaner look.
Example:
Regular URL: http://example.com/category/123-product-name
Friendly URL: http://example.com/category/product-name
- Remove ISO code in URL for default language: Remove language codes like /en for the default language.
Example:
Regular URL: http://example.com/en/product-name
Friendly URL: http://example.com/product-name
- Remove attribute alias in URL: Strips out attribute details like color or size from the URL.
Example:
Regular URL: http://example.com/product-name/color-red
Friendly URL: http://example.com/product-name
- Redirect old URLs to new URLs (301 Redirect): Automatically redirects old URLs to new ones, preserving search rankings and backlinks.
Example:
Old URL: http://example.com/category/123-product-name
New URL: http://example.com/category/product-name
- Redirect type options:
302 (Temporary): Use during setup or testing.
301 (Permanent): Use when your store is live.
Customizing URL structures
The Awesome URL module allows admins to customize URL structures for different pages using pre-defined keywords. For example, you can adjust product, category, CMS, or brand URLs to better suit your store's organization and SEO strategy.
Why redirects are important
Redirecting old URLs ensures your visitors and search engines can still access your pages after making URL changes. This is critical for maintaining:
- Search engine rankings: Prevents a drop in rankings caused by broken links.
- Backlinks: Keeps external links functional.
Pro tips for URL optimization
- Keep URLs short and descriptive: Include primary keywords relevant to the page’s content.
- Avoid special characters: Use hyphens to separate words, not underscores or symbols.
- Be consistent: Use a uniform structure across your website for better navigation.
By following these steps, you can enhance your website’s SEO and provide a smoother user experience. The Awesome URL module simplifies the process, empowering you to take full control of your URLs without needing advanced technical knowledge.
If you have any questions or need assistance, don’t hesitate to reach out to our support team!