Whether you are working with WordPress or another web hosting service, running an online business can be pretty challenging. Online business websites need to deal with SEO or search engine optimization, and links have a big part to play here.
One type of link that you need to know all about when running an online business is the permalink. The difference between various types of links can be confusing. However, it's not too hard to explain, and it's what we're going to do. So, what is a permalink, what is it used for, and what is its purpose?
1. Permalink – A Basic Definition
So, what is a permalink? A permalink simply stands for permanent link. In other words, the permalink is the full URL that you see for a website, a website page, or a post’s address. For the most part, this is going to include a domain name.
A permalink can also include a slug, which is the piece of the URL that comes right after the domain name, which could consist of a date, category, or anything you see fit to include.
A permalink makes it easy to link to someone's website. This could be a post, a page, or anything else. Generally speaking, permalinks are used to link to specific pages or posts on a website, but in some cases may also be used to link to a whole website.
2. The Main Benefits of Permalinks
We have noted that the purpose of a permalink is to link to a specific post or page. However, there is a bit more to it than that. The reason permalinks are so important is because, as the name implies, they are permanent. Permanent links remain unchanged and unaltered for many years, making it much easier for people to find specific posts or pages, even years after publication.
Another significant benefit is using permanent links because they're not very susceptible to ‘link rot.’ Link rot, also known as link death, link breaking, or reference rot, happens to hyperlinks over time. The hyperlinks stop pointing to the original targeted file page or server because that post or page now has a new address or has become unavailable.
Another main benefit of permalinks is that they're often rendered as ‘clean URLs.’ That means they're simple to type and to remember. In other words, a permalink can be a concise link that is easy for people to remember, even years after they saw it for the first time. It's much easier than having to type in a long URL with random strings of letters and numbers.
As an online business owner, this ease of access and sharing is paramount. The easier it is to share and access your various websites, pages, posts, and whatever else is highly vital to the success of your online business. The easier your content is to share, the more people will see it, and the more likely they will be to make a purchase. It's really nothing more than simple mathematics and economics. Now there is one aspect of the permalink that we have not yet discussed: SEO.
3. Permalinks and SEO – Some Crucial Tips
Although permalinks might not be on the top of your search engine optimization to-do list, they affect your search engine optimization results. If you expect your online business to be successful, you need to have many visitors and a high amount of traffic.
If you expect to sell products and services, people need to find your site, and that what SEO is all about. If people search for a muffler shop online, your muffler shop could be the first or the last in the Google search results list. Let's go over some quick tips on making those permanent links as SEO-friendly as possible.
To ensure that your permalinks are SEO-friendly is to keep a consistent link structure. Keep in mind that the exact structure of the links is not quite as important as consistency. Choosing one structure over another may not adversely affect your SEO as long as it's consistent across the board.
In terms of the permalink structure, you should keep in mind that shorter is generally better. Google likes concise URLs more, and people have a much easier time remembering them.
Another tip to make your permalinks as SEO-friendly as possible is to use links that are rich in keywords. Having a keyword-rich permalink will help Google determine the type of content on your site. Keywords are a huge part of SEO, so getting this right is extremely important to the success of your online business.
One often overlooked yet critical aspect of maximizing the effectiveness of permalinks for SEO involves hiring a professional SEO agency. A reputable firm can conduct an in-depth analysis of your website’s structure and permalinks to ensure they are optimized for the best search engine results. Hiring a local Sarasota SEO Company if you are from this area can be a great option as they will have a good understanding of the local market and competition. With their knowledge and tools, they can also help identify and rectify any existing SEO inefficiencies, setting your online business on a path to greater online visibility and success.
FAQ
What's the Difference Between a Permalink and a Hyperlink?
These two things really are not all that different. Permalinks are really just hyperlinks that are less susceptible to link rot. Moreover, hyperlinks are activated when you click on an image or text.
What is the Default WordPress Permalink Structure?
WordPress has a straightforward permalink structure. For example, a post you write could have the ID of 400, which will result in the permalink having ‘p=400’ on the end of it.
What Happens if I Change My WordPress Permalinks?
Changing WordPress permanent links can adversely affect your search engine optimization, and it can break existing links that people might be using to get to your site.
Conclusion
Permalinks can make a huge difference when it comes to the success of your online business. You want a short and concise permalink that is easy for people to remember and share, and you want that permalink to be SEO-friendly; your links and your website need to be SEO-friendly for customers to find what you're offering.
