What is a URL structure (SEO for absolute beginners)

by | Jun 20, 2025 | Uncategorized

what is urls structure in seo

This is the first post in a new series explaining SEO for absolute beginners. No complicated jaron. No fluff. Just what you actually need to know so you do not mess up the basics. Today we will talk about URL structure. We have briefly mentioned this in our recent post on Top SEO Mistakes People Make when Launching a New Website.

What is a URL?


It is the link. The web address. The thing you type into the browser to get to a page.

For example:

example.com/about-us

Now you know what is a URL.

URL structure is how those URLs are built across your site.

If it is clean, Google gets it. If it is a mess, you are making your SEO harder for no reason.

Example of a good URL:

example.com/guides/seo-guide-for-beginners

Straight to the point. Tells you what the page is about.

Example of a bad URL:

example.com/page?id=274&ref=abc

No context. No keywords. Just noise.

URL Structure Rules to Follow:

  • Use short, clear words
  • Add the main keywords
  • Use hyphens, not underscores
  • Lowercase only
  • Do not add random numbers or special characters
  • Pick a format and stick to it (be consistent)

If you do not get this right from day one, you willwaste time fixing it later. Keep it simple. Keep it clean. Done.

URL structure also matters across your whole site, not just on a single page. On bigger sites like online shops, it shows how your categories and products are grouped.

Example of a good URL structre for eCmmerce weebsite:


example.com/mens/shoes/trainers
example.com/mens/shoes/boot
example.com/womens/accessories/bags


The above helps Google understand your site layout, and users know where they are. ✅

Now lets see a very bad example: 

example.com/cat123/prod567?ref=shop
example.com/product?id=9987
example.com/page.php?cat=2&type=5

These tell Google nothing. No structure. No keywords. Just chaos 🤡

Are you about to launch a new site or want to improve your existing website?

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