http:// - a messy string

[k-lo]

Can anyone please explain the importance of having a tidy description after http in the web address bar? I was told, but not advised why, that it needs to be description of the page you are viewing, rather than part descriptive followed by numbers, question marks, and percentage signs etc. And how does a lay-person tidy it up? :|

This is an example apparently of a bad description after the www address: newcompany.co.uk/index.asp?pageid=2
It should be something like: newcompany.co.uk/seo-copywriting

 

[Optegris]

Let's see now. You are setting up as an Adwords broker but you claim to know nothing about SEO friendly URLs??

If it walks like a duck...

 

[Annoying Donkey]

Can anyone please explain the importance of having a tidy description after http in the web address bar? I was told, but not advised why, that it needs to be description of the page you are viewing, rather than part descriptive followed by numbers, question marks, and percentage signs etc. And how does a lay-person tidy it up? :|

This is an example apparently of a bad description after the www address: newcompany.co.uk/index.asp?pageid=2
It should be something like: newcompany.co.uk/seo-copywriting

It's not a huge factor, but every little bit helps.
Most CMS's will have an option, e.g. wordpress has an option under settings/permalinks with various settings which will automatically convert newcompany.co.uk/index.asp?pageid=2 to newcompany.co.uk/seo-copywriting.

 

[k-lo]

Thanks Openmind - I have my answer partly answered. Some people have to lead businesses and work 'on' them rather than 'in' them. Just wanted to know the mechanics.

 

[MarcusMiller]

As ever, think about it from a users perspective. If I searched for 'yellow spangly widgets' which URL would I be more likely to click on.

www.site.com/page.php?id=45&view=list&top=popular

www.site.com/yellowspanglywidgets.html

You may also get some better anchor text from links using the URL but in essence, try to make it nice and easy for people to scan read the 10 blue links and have faith in what they are clicking on.

Hope that helps
Marcus

 

[directmarketingadvice]

As ever, think about it from a users perspective. If I searched for 'yellow spangly widgets' which URL would I be more likely to click on.

www.site.com/page.php?id=45&view=list&top=popular

www.site.com/yellowspanglywidgets.html

You may also get some better anchor text from links using the URL but in essence, try to make it nice and easy for people to scan read the 10 blue links and have faith in what they are clicking on.

That's 100% correct. Leaving aside any SEO benefit from keyword rich urls, all things being equal, you can expect a higher click rate from your SEO listings if the url is keyword rich.

Steve

 

[lynxus]

That's 100% correct. Leaving aside any SEO benefit from keyword rich urls, all things being equal, you can expect a higher click rate from your SEO listings if the url is keyword rich.

Steve

I think that maybe what google have been trying to drive people to do is finally setting in..

From an SEO perspective, Its better to have descriptive URL's not because humans see it better but because engines want it that way..

WHY do they like it that way?
Well ITS BECAUSE ITS BETTER FOR HUMANS.

So.
If you write for the human reader then it works better for you two fold.

Not only do you get the SEO benefit, You also benefit your end users.