When Robin seeks information on visiting Toronto, she turns to Google and is immediately drawn to the top two search results. Both sites boast compelling title tags, but Robin ultimately selects the second option due to its more user-friendly URL. What makes a URL SEO-friendly? Let’s explore this question and discover six best practices for optimizing your URLs.Subscribe to Revenue Weekly for additional digital marketing insights from an agency with over 1,100 client testimonials!URL SEO involves optimizing your URLs according to search engine optimization best practices, including relevant site architecture, hyphenated word separation, and choosing descriptive keywords.Understanding the impact of URLs on SEO is crucial. Contrary to popular belief, URLs do not significantly influence Google rankings. Instead, they primarily affect user engagement. A well-optimized URL can enhance user experience and potentially improve rankings.Here are six URL best practices to consider when building your website:1. Don’t Obsess Over Your URLsOptimizing your URLs is important, but overthinking them is unnecessary. Poor URLs may affect click-through rates, but they won’t cause a significant drop in rankings. Focus on addressing larger issues like page speed and mobile-friendliness.2. Focus on Making URLs User-FriendlyOptimized URLs should be simple and relevant. Avoid long, convoluted URLs filled with random characters. Use short, descriptive URLs that clearly indicate the page’s content.3. Use Lowercase Letters and HyphensUse lowercase letters and hyphens to create URLs. Avoid uppercase letters and underscores, which can cause errors and confusion.4. Include Relevant KeywordsIncorporate relevant keywords into your URLs to improve user experience and click-through rates. Remember that keywords in URLs are primarily for user benefit, not for direct ranking.5. Use HTTPSUtilize HTTPS for secure browsing and improved Google rankings. HTTPS is crucial for user trust and overall website performance.6. Try to Use Anchor TextWhen linking to URLs, use anchor text to provide context and improve SEO. Anchor text helps Google understand the link’s purpose and contributes to better rankings.For assistance with SEO-friendly URLs and other digital marketing services, contact WebFX, an award-winning SEO agency with over 28 years of experience.
