SEO glossary: URL structure

 

What is a URL structure?

A URL structure is the systematic structure of an Internet address including its directories and documents/files. Its structure should be simple and easy to understand. This makes it easier for both search engines and users to find their way around a website.

 

For this reason, for example, it is important to ensure that a URL structure has a maximum of three directory depths. Otherwise it can happen that crawlers the URLs are too long and/or the CRAWL-BUDGET is used up. But more on that in a moment!

 

Let's first take a look at the structure of a URL:

 

Initially, the URL consists of a pure domain name:

 

https://www.domain.de/

 

In addition to the domain, a directory can now be added:

 

https://www.domain.de/verzeichnis/

 

In addition, a file or document can be inserted in a directory:

 

https://www.domain.de/verzeichnis/index.html

 

 

What does a good URL structure look like?

To make the URL structure as simple and friendly as possible, here are some recommendations and tips:

 

• Directory depth: Keep URLs as short as possible and work with a maximum of three directory depths. This is the only way to ensure that the URL is not too long and the crawler does not have to dig too deep. The crawl budget should also be taken into account here.
• URL length: Even if a crawler can easily read URLs with a length of 1,000 characters or more, you should not make them unnecessarily long. If only because users cannot read the URL in the SERPs see. Short and snappy URLs can increase attention, which can lead to a better CTR. Be careful not to use unnecessary parameters or stop words.
• Avoid session IDs: Avoid using session IDs if possible. They can lead to duplicate content possibly being content being indexed. This in turn has a negative effect on the ranking. As an alternative to session IDs, you can use the modern variant of cookies to carry out tracking and other analyses.
• Punctuation marks: If a subpage, such as an HTML document, has several descriptive terms, separate them with punctuation marks. The best way to do this is to use hyphens.
• Few parameters: The more parameters a URL contains, the more difficulties a search engine crawler has when reading it. So try to reduce such parameters as far as possible or omit them completely.
• Meaningful URLs: This is where the parameters come into play again. Instead of your URL consisting of just any characters and numbers, you should make it more meaningful. So include complete words. Users and search engines will thank you for it.

 

How important is a clear URL structure for search engine optimization?

The following advantages show how important a simple and clear URL structure is in terms of SEO:

 

• If users are looking for a suitable result in the SERPs, clear URLs can help them find their way around more quickly. This may have a positive effect on user behavior. It may also reduce bounce rates.
• But this also makes it easier for search engines to crawl the entire project. Crawlers such as the Googlebot have a limited crawler budget. Complicated URLs or too many directory depths mean that URLs may be left out and not indexed.
• Simple URLs also offer a clear advantage in terms of administrative effort. If you have clearly structured your URLs, it will be easier for you to maintain and optimize the project later on.