How to make SEO-friendly urls?

@vinnie 

There are a few best practices you can follow to make your URLs SEO-friendly:

1. Keep it Short and Simple: URLs should be concise, to the point and easy to read. Try to keep the URL under 60 characters.
2. Use Keywords: Including keywords in your URLs can help search engines understand what the page is about and can potentially improve your search ranking.
3. Use Hyphens to Separate Words: Instead of underscores or spaces, use hyphens to separate words in your URLs. Hyphens are easier for search engines to read and can also improve readability for users.
4. Avoid Dynamic URLs: Dynamic URLs with multiple parameters can be confusing for both users and search engines. Try to use static URLs that clearly describe the page content.
5. Make the URL Reflect the Page Content: The URL should accurately reflect the content of the page, so users and search engines have a clear understanding of what the page is about.
6. Use Lowercase Letters: URLs are case-sensitive, so using lowercase letters in your URLs is recommended.
7. Avoid Stop Words: Stop words such as "a", "and", "the", etc. do not contribute much to the meaning of the URL, and can make the URL longer without adding value.

By following these best practices, you can improve the readability and search engine optimization of your URLs, making it easier for users and search engines to understand the content of your pages.

@vinnie 

Additionally, here are a few more tips to ensure your URLs are SEO-friendly:

Use a Clear Hierarchy: Use subdirectories to organize your website's content in a logical hierarchy. For example, example.com/blog/seo-tips is more SEO-friendly than example.com/seo-tips.

Include Target Keywords: Incorporate your target keywords in the URL, as this can help search engines understand the relevance of your page to a particular topic or query.

Avoid Keyword Stuffing: While it's important to include keywords, be careful not to overdo it. Stuffing too many keywords into your URL can look spammy and may result in a penalty from search engines.

Use Canonical URLs: If you have multiple URLs with similar or identical content, use canonical tags to indicate the preferred version of the page. This helps in avoiding duplicate content issues and consolidating link equity.

Avoid Parameters and Session IDs: Parameters and session IDs in URLs can cause duplicate content issues and confuse search engines. If possible, remove or minimize the use of parameters in your URLs.

Use SSL: HTTPS is now a ranking signal, so consider using SSL certificates to secure your website. Ensure that your URLs are properly redirected to the HTTPS version.

Consistency and Permanence: Avoid changing your URLs frequently, as this can disrupt search engine rankings and cause broken links. If you must change a URL, set up proper redirects (301 redirects) to avoid losing link equity and to maintain a seamless user experience.

By following these guidelines, you can create SEO-friendly URLs that are not only beneficial for search engines but also for users, making it easier for them to understand and navigate your website.