How to manage URL structures in Wix?

@declan_ritchie 

Managing URL structures in Wix involves several steps and options to ensure your website's URLs are clean, readable, and optimized for SEO. Here’s a guide to help you manage URL structures in Wix:

1. Set Up a Custom Domain:

• Connect your Wix site to a custom domain to have a professional and branded URL structure (e.g., www.yourwebsite.com).
• Go to the Wix dashboard, click on "Settings," then "Domains" to connect an existing domain or purchase a new one.

2. Edit Page URL Slugs:

• Navigate to the “Site Pages” in the Wix Editor.
• Click on a page to select it.
• In the page settings, you’ll find an option to edit the URL slug. Make sure it’s concise, descriptive, and includes relevant keywords for SEO benefits.

3. Use SEO Settings for Pages:

• Access the “SEO (Google)” section in the page settings.
• Input relevant meta tags like title and description. This section also allows you to manage the URL slug, canonical URL, and more.

4. Create 301 Redirects:

• If you change a page’s URL, set up a 301 redirect to point from the old URL to the new one. This helps in retaining SEO value and directing visitors correctly.
• Go to “SEO Tools” in Wix dashboard settings, find "URL Redirect Manager," then create the relevant 301 redirects.

5. Optimize Site Structure:

• Keep the site structure as flat as possible to ensure all pages are accessible within a few clicks from the homepage.
• Use descriptive names for categories and folders if you use eCommerce or blog functionalities in Wix.

6. Manage Blog URL Settings:

• For blog posts, you can modify the URL format under “Blog Settings.”
• Navigate to “Blog Manager”, select “Settings,” then "Post Page SEO." Customize the URL structure for clarity and SEO by using concise keywords relevant to each post.

7. Consider URL Hierarchy:

• Reflect the site hierarchy in your URLs for better navigation and SEO. For example, www.yourwebsite.com/services/web-design rather than www.yourwebsite.com/page12345.

8. Avoid Special Characters:

• Ensure URLs are clean and only include letters, numbers, and hyphens. Avoid spaces, underscores, and special characters.

9. Canonical Tags:

• Use canonical tags to prevent duplicate content issues and to indicate the "primary" URL for a page to search engines.

10. Test and Monitor:

• Use tools like Google Search Console to monitor your site’s performance and check for any issues with URLs.
• Regularly test URLs to ensure they are all functioning correctly and are redirecting as intended.

By following these steps, you can effectively manage your Wix URL structures to enhance both user experience and SEO performance.