SEO slug: how to get found more easily
In online marketing, Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) has become an indispensable tool. It makes sure you are more visible online and that you attract more visitors to your website.
- 2 min read
An SEO slug is the part of the URL after the domain name, such as /diensten/seo/. A good slug is short, readable and contains the topic of the page. That helps search engines understand what the page is about and makes the link clearer for visitors.
An important part of a successful SEO strategy is understanding the term “SEO slug” and optimising it. In this blog we’re happy to explain what an SEO slug is. We also give you valuable tips to optimise your slugs for better search engine results.
What is an SEO slug?
An SEO slug, also known as a URL slug, permalink or URL snippet, is the part of the URL that comes after the domain name. This URL gives a unique description of your page or post. It is the equivalent of the “address” of a specific web page. A good SEO slug is clear, relevant and readable for both search engines and users.
Why is an optimised SEO slug important?
An optimised SEO slug can offer several benefits for your website and its performance in search engines:
- Search engine friendliness: A relevant, optimised slug helps search engines understand better what your page is about. This can help you rank higher in the search results.
- User experience: A clear, readable URL is user-friendly and creates a more positive experience for visitors to your website.
- Click-through rate (CTR): An attractive, relevant slug can improve the CTR of your search results. That is because people are more likely to click when they see that the slug is relevant to their search.
How do you optimise an SEO slug?
Keep it relevant: The slug should make clear what the page is about. Avoid unnecessary words and numbers that add no value to the meaning of the page.
Example:
- Not optimal: www.marketingkenners.nl/pagina-1
- Optimal: www.marketingkenners.nl/seo-nijmegen
Use keywords: Work relevant keywords into the slug, but don’t overdo it. It still has to read naturally.
Example:
- Not optimal: https://marketingkenners.nl/diensten/seo-uitbesteden-aan-goed-marketing-bureau
- Optimal: www.marketingkenners.nl/diensten/seo
Short and strong: Keep the slug short and avoid unnecessary words. A short URL is easier to remember and share. Also use hyphens instead of spaces between words. This keeps the URL readable and understandable for both people and search engines.
Example:
- Not optimal: www.marketingkenners.nl/blog/toneofvoicebepalen
- Optimal: www.marketingkenners.nl/blog/tone-of-voice-bepalen/
Avoid stop words: Avoid unnecessary stop words such as “and”, “the”, “a”, “for”, etc. They add no value to the slug.
Example:
- Not optimal: www.marketingkenners.nl/tips-voor-het-verbeteren-van-lokale-seo/
- Optimal: www.marketingkenners.nl/lokale-seo/
Conclusion
A well-optimised SEO slug is important for how easily your web pages are found in search engines. It also improves the user experience for your visitors. By staying relevant, using keywords, keeping it short and to the point and using hyphens, you can optimise your slugs for better online performance. Take the time to optimise your slugs and see how these small tweaks can make a big difference to your SEO results.
Slugs are one piece of a bigger puzzle. We take care of the rest at technical SEO: from site structure and speed to indexing.
Frequently asked questions
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Can you change the slug of an existing page?
Yes, but then set up a 301 redirect from the old URL to the new one. Otherwise links and rankings you've built up end up on an error page. Only change the slug of a page that already ranks well if the gain is clear.
Should a town name be in the slug?
For a page aimed at a service in a specific town, yes. A slug like /dakkapel-arnhem/ shows search engines and visitors straight away what the page is about. On general service pages you leave the town name out. More on this under the Local landing page.
What is the difference between a slug and a canonical URL?
The slug is the part of the URL after the domain name that describes a page. A canonical URL is a tag you use to tell search engines which version is the main one when the same content can be reached under several URLs. Read more about the canonical URL.
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