5 Ways to Create an SEO-friendly Site Structure

Let’s check out some interesting facts before knowing ways to create an SEO-
friendly site structure.

  • As per Backlinko, Google leverages over 200 factors through algorithms for ranking websites.
  • Another study by Backlinko states that the first result ranking in the Google search engine receives at least 32% of all clicks.

Since the evolution of the digital content space, content marketers swear by the benefits of search engine optimization for visibility. However, more than often, the site structure takes a backseat. As a result, content managers struggle to identify the pitfalls in the way of ranking the website in the top position without looking at the site structure.

In this section, we will talk about the importance of SEO for site structure. In addition to this, we will also walk you through ways to create an SEO-friendly site structure.

What is the Importance of SEO for Site Structure?

No matter how much effort you put, it might sum up to nothing without a proper site structure. Hence, it is vital to keep the site structure to the fore to win the search engine optimization quest.

Below are the points explaining the importance of SEO for site structure:

What are the Ways to Create an SEO-friendly Site Structure?

Since you now know the importance of SEO site structure, let us take a look at the ways to build an SEO-friendly SEO structure. Below are the top five ways to create an SEO-friendly site structure:

1. Consider your Hierarchy:

When you are building your website from scratch, it is essential to plan the structure of your site well in advance. At the top of the hierarchy, you can label the main page of the website. For example, add the homepage of your website at level one. At the second level of the hierarchy, mention the critical pages of the website. For level two, you can have your blog page, contact page, about us page, solutions, products, and service page.

It is crucial that you should have two to seven categories. However, avoid defining more than seven categories to skip complexity to your site structure.

2. Maximize Internal Links for your Site:

As per Moz, there are three reasons why you should include a proper site
structure for your website:

  • – Site structure prompts end users in the right direction to your website.
  • – A site structure with a proper hierarchy ensures that your information is organized well for your end users.
  • – Site structure improves the ranking power of your website in the search engine result.

The fact is, you can’t simply create an SEO-friendly site structure without the use of internal links. The fundamental ideology behind the use of internal linking is to have some other website stamp the credibility of your page.

3. Develop a URL Structure to Match your Hierarchy:

It is crucial to ensure that the URL structure of your website matches the hierarchy of your site. One of the best tips to create an SEO-friendly site structure is to define the category first, followed by the sub-category, and ultimately with the product.

If you are using WordPress as your CMS, you can simply create an SEO-friendly site structure by accessing Settings, followed by Permalinks on your dashboard. Once you are done, choose the link structure and select it into your post title with the complete URL. With the use of URL structure, you can include target keywords and improve the visibility of your website.

4. Build your Site Navigation in HTML/CSS:

Most content managers and digital marketing executives find it easy to drag and drop the functionalities within their CMS for the content publication. However, drag-and-drop functionalities offer limited features. In the long run, a content page developed using drag-and-drop features of a CMS turns repetitive for users, and to an extent, even mundane. As a result, you need to leverage simple coding through HTML/CSS. However, avoid making the coding too complex with Ajax, Flash, and JavaScript.

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5. Develop a Shallow Depth of the Navigation Site Structure:

One of the most challenging aspects that content marketers face when they create an SEO-friendly site structure is the shallowness of the website. However, if you are new to the term, you might wonder what we mean by a shallow website. As per the Search Engine Journal, a shallow website is better than a deep website. In other words, two or fewer clicks from end users ensure that your user takes the desired actions.

Key Takeaway

Now that you know the five ways to create an SEO-friendly site structure, it is important that you prioritize the site structure among the other tasks from your to-do list and wait till you get amazing results in SERPs.