Introduction
URLs are one of the most important on-page SEO elements that are often overlooked. A well-structured URL helps search engines understand the content and improves user experience.
In 2025, having clear and descriptive URLs is essential for both SEO and usability.
This article covers the importance of URL structure and how to create SEO-friendly URLs.
Why URL Structure Matters
✅ 1. Helps Search Engines Crawl Your Site
A logical URL structure makes it easier for search engines to crawl and index your pages.
✅ 2. Improves User Experience
Clean URLs are easier to read, remember, and share.
✅ 3. Enhances Keyword Relevance
Including keywords in URLs can signal the topic of the page to search engines.
✅ 4. Supports Website Hierarchy
URLs can show the relationship between pages and organize your content.
Best Practices for SEO-Friendly URLs
✅ 1. Keep URLs Short and Simple
Avoid unnecessary words or parameters.
✅ 2. Use Keywords
Include relevant keywords naturally.
✅ 3. Use Hyphens to Separate Words
Hyphens are preferred over underscores for readability.
✅ 4. Avoid Stop Words
Words like “and,” “the,” or “of” can often be removed.
✅ 5. Use Lowercase Letters
Consistency avoids duplicate content issues.
✅ 6. Create a Logical Hierarchy
Use folders and subfolders to organize content clearly.
✅ 7. Avoid Dynamic URLs When Possible
Static URLs are preferred over complex query strings.
Examples of Good URL Structures
Good:
https://urlshortly.com/on-page-seo-tipsBad:
https://urlshortly.com/page?id=12345&ref=seo
How to Implement SEO-Friendly URLs
Most CMS platforms let you customize URL slugs easily. For example, WordPress lets you set “Permalinks” to use post names instead of IDs.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
🚫 Using long, complicated URLs with random numbers
🚫 Including stop words unnecessarily
🚫 Using uppercase letters inconsistently
🚫 Using underscores instead of hyphens
🚫 Changing URLs frequently without proper redirects
Conclusion
A clean and keyword-rich URL structure is a simple but powerful on-page SEO tactic.
By following the best practices outlined here, you’ll help search engines and users understand your website better, improving your SEO performance in 2025.