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Published: December 17 2022
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Decoding the Role of URL Slugs in SEO: A Comprehensive Guide
Well- constructed slug inspire trust.
It informs users what they will find on your website.
If you are wondering, why would you change slug - I have got some good news, there is a lot you can gain from it.
Similarly to some other practices, nicely brushed up slugs will help you build the trustworthiness of your website and improve your position in internet searches results.
Take a look at how to easily improve slugs on a website.
What is URL Slug?
A URL slug is a simple, descriptive part of a website address that gives information about the page's content. It is a section of a URL that comes after the domain name. Usually, it represents the specific page or post on the website. Typically, a URL slug is made up of words separated by hyphens to enhance readability. The main purpose of a URL slug is to improve the usability and accessibility of a site by providing a clear and simple pathway to specific content. In terms of Search Engine Optimization (SEO), having a clean and well-structured URL slug may boost your website's performance because search engines prefer URLs that help them understand the content of the page. Moreover, a well-formed URL slug can also contribute to increasing click-through rates, as users are more likely to click links if they can easily understand what the page is about from their URL.
Slug is a sequence of characters, that can be found after the slash in the subpage URL address. Thanks to slugs, each page on a website has its own internet address easily understandable for users.
Website address structure can be divided into a few elements.
The first one is the protocol. Nowadays its HTTPS://, where 's' stands for secure. In 2018 Google introduced the safe internet and every website which wants to be displayed as secure needs to have an active SSL certificate. You can also find websites online with protocol HTTP://, but you will be alerted that they do not have an encrypted connection and your data might be hijacked. The next element in slug is a domain and then a part responsible for pointing to a certain subpage.
Let's take a look at this article's slug.
The first is the protocol - HTTPS://. WebWave website, just like every website created in WebWave with the Premium Plan, has an active SSL certificate. The next is domain name webwave.me, and at the end - we point to a certain article on the blog /blog/slug.
Slugs structure does influence website positioning in internet searches results. Make sure they work in your favor.
Links structure in website development
Links structure is an important part of every website because it affects website positioning.
Unfortunately, many website development software place unnecessary elements, so-called breadcrumbs, in the links - weakening website position.
It means that between the domain name and subpage name you can find random characters like the date or weird, automatically generated numeric combinations.
No only the Google Algorithm doesn't approve messy slugs, but users less likely enter websites with URLs containing suspicious characters.
Well-structured slug will not only help you gain users trust but also Google Algorithm's.
What should a slug contain?
Most importantly - slug should correspond to the name of a certain subpage and what's on it.
Meta title and description clearly communicate subpage content in search results, but you should also make sure that the link does too.
Good slug lets users know what's on the website, so it should be possible as simple as it can, without unnecessary elements.
See for yourself, is it easier to read a link "how-should-you-write-about-website-development-for-small-and-medium-sized-companies" or "companies-website-developement"?
The first step in creating a perfect slug is setting a subpage title. Now, try to describe it in one sentence. Pick a few crucial words from it and place it in the link. The shorter, the better.
Most importantly - slug should correspond to the name of a certain subpage and what's on it.
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Is slug important for SEO?
The slug, also known as the URL slug or URL extension, is the part of a URL that comes after the domain. It is important for SEO because it gives search engines and users an indication of what the page is about. A well-optimized slug should accurately describe the content of the page and include relevant keywords. By including keywords in the slug, search engines can better understand the topic of the page and rank it accordingly in search results. Additionally, a clear and concise slug can also improve user experience by providing a preview of the page's content. It is recommended to use lowercase letters, hyphens to separate words, and to keep the slug as short and specific as possible. In summary, while the slug is just one of many factors that affect SEO, it is still a significant element in optimizing webpages for search engines and improving overall visibility.
SEO-friendly slug
An SEO-friendly slug is an important aspect of any website's URL structure. A slug is the part of the URL that comes after the domain name and is used to identify a specific page or post. It should be concise, descriptive, and easy for both humans and search engines to understand. By including relevant keywords in your slug, you can improve your website's visibility in search engine results pages. For example, instead of using a generic slug like "blog/article-123," consider using a more specific and keyword-rich slug like "tips-for-improving-seo." This allows search engines to better understand the content of your page and increases the chances of it ranking higher in relevant keyword searches. Additionally, an SEO-friendly slug can also make your URL more shareable and user-friendly, as it provides a clear indication of what the page is about. Overall, paying attention to the slug of your URLs, along with tracking your website's search rankings, can greatly enhance your website's SEO and improve its online visibility.
Creating a website in WebWave - how to make good links?
Creating a website in WebWave is easy and efficient, and making good links is an important aspect of web design. To make good links, start by ensuring that the links are relevant to the content of your site and provide additional value to your visitors. Use descriptive anchor texts that accurately describe what the linked page is about. This helps users understand where the link leads before clicking on it. Additionally, consider the placement and visibility of your links. They should be easy to find and accessible on all pages of your website. Use a clear and consistent link style, such as underlining or highlighting, to distinguish links from regular text. Lastly, regularly check your links to ensure they are working and are not broken. Broken links can create a negative user experience and lower your website's credibility.
FAQ.
What is the role of URL slugs in SEO?
URL slugs play an important role in SEO as they are a part of the URL that explains the content of a specific page or post. They are also known as "user-friendly" URLs.
Why are URL slugs important for SEO?
URL slugs are important for SEO because they provide search engines with a concise and descriptive understanding of the page's content. It helps to improve the website's ranking in search engine results.
Should URL slugs be lowercase or capitalized?
A: It is generally recommended to use lowercase letters for URL slugs. Using lowercase makes the URL more readable and user-friendly.
What does a URL slug consist of?
A URL slug is a part of the URL that acts as a unique identifier for a specific page or post. It typically consists of words or phrases that are relevant to the content of the page.
Can a URL slug be customized?
Yes, in most cases, URL slugs can be customized. Content management systems like WordPress allow users to manually edit the URL slug to make it more optimized and user-friendly.
Can a URL slug be automatically created?
Yes, in some cases, a URL slug can be automatically created based on the title or content of the page or post. This functionality is often built into content management systems like WordPress.
What are the best practices for creating URL slugs?
When creating URL slugs, it is best to make them readable, descriptive, and keyword-rich. Avoid using special characters or spaces, and opt for hyphens to separate words within the slug.
Are URL slugs important for all websites?
Yes, URL slugs are important for all websites, as they not only help search engines understand the content but also provide a more user-friendly web address for visitors.
How do URL slugs impact the ranking of a website?
URL slugs can impact the ranking of a website by providing search engines with more relevant information about the content of each page. This can help improve the website's visibility and organic search rankings.
Are URL slugs only important for developers or web developers?
URL slugs are important for all website owners, whether they are developers or not. Understanding the role and best practices of URL slugs can benefit anyone looking to optimize their website for SEO.
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