DIY: How to Setup Your Permalink Structure

Your blog’s permalink structure is arguably one of the most important steps you can do right in the build process. Often, it’s one of the most overlooked SEO and linking steps missed by do-it-yourselfers. A simple mistake that can create a huge negative impact over the long-term. We’re going to talk about what permalink structure is, why its important, what it means to your SEO efforts, and show you how to set it right from the start in your Wordpress blog.

What is the Permalink Structure

Permalinks are the permanent URLs to your individual blog posts, pages, and archive pages. Your permalink for a post will be used by others to share your posts and how you share. The URL to each post should be permanent, and never change — the reason behind it being called a permalink.

Setting your permalink structure determines the way Wordpress will automatically create all URLs on your blog/website. In general, these are the guidelines encouraged by most SEO experts (even Matt Cutts who often reports for Google on SEO matters):

Keep URLs shorter, rather than longer;
URLs with no spaces are worst, underscore is better, but dashes and hyphens are best;
Don’t include the post date in the URL;
and, naturally include keywords in your URLs.

When you set up your permalink structure the right way, from the start — you’ll naturally leverage the SEO benefits that Wordpress provides in allowing for a custom permalink structure.

A Word of Caution

If your blog is not new, with a permalink structure that is already established, do NOT change your permalink structure. When you change a structure that has already been established, you create missing and broken links without taking the time to redirect the old URL to the new URL. If you’re already set, keep it and do the best you can to leverage other areas of SEO.

Creating Your Custom Permalink Structure

This action should be taken immediately upon installing Wordpress. It’s the number 1 action to take, before you build any other part of your blog.

DIY Marketing Mastery: How to Setup Your Permalink Structure for SEO

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About the Author...

Maria Reyes-McDavis is a colossal geek brainiac, certified genius IQ with university degrees in Finance, Economics, Business Management and an MBA. Maria has served over 300 pro-level, digital marketing clients as founder of online marketing firm Digital Peas & Carrots. Maria is Founder and Editor of Hyphenated Americans, a conservative politics blog and Proverbs 31 Project an online women's ministry. Most importantly, Maria is a wife to her king, mother of 3, lover of basketball (Go Lakers & Clippers!), classic cars and is currently training for professional women's roller derby!