SEO Best Practices | Create or Change URL's

How to Create SEO-Friendly URLs

URLs play a significant role in SEO. A well-crafted URL helps search engines understand your page and provides clarity for users. Follow these guidelines when creating URLs:

• Keep URLs concise, ideally 2-4 words.

• Remove unnecessary stop words like "the," "on," or "of."

• Incorporate a primary keyword naturally into the URL.

• Avoid adding location-specific details or keyword stuffing, as this can appear spammy.

Why Changing URLs Can Be Risky

Changing URLs should only be done when absolutely necessary. Here's why:

• Search engines track pages by their URLs. Changing one without proper redirection can make the page "disappear" from search results.

• Unchecked changes can lead to traffic loss and a decline in SEO rankings.

Steps for Changing URLs Safely

1. Check URL Performance:

   Use Google Search Console to see if the URL is indexed and receiving impressions. Keep URLs with higher impressions.

   
   

2. Check External Links:

   Use tools like Semrush to check if other websites link to your URL. Retain URLs with valuable backlinks to preserve SEO.

   
   

3. Implement 301 Redirects:

   Always redirect old URLs to relevant new ones. For combined or removed content, redirect users to similar or main pages.

Final Thoughts

URLs are a small but powerful element of SEO. When creating or changing URLs, focus on clarity, conciseness, and SEO best practices. Always handle URL changes cautiously to avoid harming your website's performance and user experience.