URLs (Uniform Resource Locator) form an integral part of any Search Engine Optimization (SEO) campaign. A recent study shows that of the top ten indexed pages for a particular keyword, ‘Google has 40-50% of those with the keyword either in the URL or the domain, Yahoo shows 60% and Bing has an astonishing 85%’. What this translates into for Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is that having keywords in the URL or domain name can make a lot of difference to a page’s ranking.
There are primarily two types of URL – Static URL and Dynamic URL
Static URL: As the name suggests, Static URLs do not change. It does not have any variable strings or URL parameters. The page actually exists on a server and can be downloaded via FTP (File Transfer Protocol).
Eg: A URL of the type http://www.example.com/web/ is a static URL.
Dynamic URL: A Dynamic URL is an address that directs to a dynamically generated web page. The content of the page is stored on a database and is displayed only on demand. There is no actual page. The page is only a template on which the results of the query are displayed.
Eg: A URL of the type http://www.example.com/web/thread.php?threadid=123&sort=date is a dynamic URL.
Static URL or Dynamic URL, which is better?
Though both have their advantages and disadvantages, Static URLs have a definite edge when it comes to SEO.
Static URLs are indexed faster and ranked higher in SERPs.
It is wiser to optimize Static URLs (for long term SEO benefits).
It is easier to insert relevant keywords in Static URLs rather than in Dynamic URLs.
It is easier for the end user to understand a static URL, thereby the chances of clicking the link increases manifolds.
It is advisable to use Static URLs for all branding activities as it ensures faster retention and recall.
In spite of the so-called disadvantages of a dynamically generated URL, they are used for the following reasons:
Web Pages of a dynamic URL can be edited easily.
It is a cake walk to update the dynamic URL page content. Just updating the same in the database ensures that the content gets updated for all relevant links.
For affiliate sites, blogs, e-commerce sites, etc. which have huge content that need to be updated regularly, Dynamic URLs are generally preferred.
The key is to find the right balance for your website -between your dynamically generated pages which allows for a faster updating and your static pages which helps in SEO.
If you have further queries on the issue, post it as a comment below.
There are primarily two types of URL – Static URL and Dynamic URL
Static URL: As the name suggests, Static URLs do not change. It does not have any variable strings or URL parameters. The page actually exists on a server and can be downloaded via FTP (File Transfer Protocol).
Eg: A URL of the type http://www.example.com/web/ is a static URL.
Dynamic URL: A Dynamic URL is an address that directs to a dynamically generated web page. The content of the page is stored on a database and is displayed only on demand. There is no actual page. The page is only a template on which the results of the query are displayed.
Eg: A URL of the type http://www.example.com/web/thread.php?threadid=123&sort=date is a dynamic URL.
Static URL or Dynamic URL, which is better?
Though both have their advantages and disadvantages, Static URLs have a definite edge when it comes to SEO.
Static URLs are indexed faster and ranked higher in SERPs.
It is wiser to optimize Static URLs (for long term SEO benefits).
It is easier to insert relevant keywords in Static URLs rather than in Dynamic URLs.
It is easier for the end user to understand a static URL, thereby the chances of clicking the link increases manifolds.
It is advisable to use Static URLs for all branding activities as it ensures faster retention and recall.
In spite of the so-called disadvantages of a dynamically generated URL, they are used for the following reasons:
Web Pages of a dynamic URL can be edited easily.
It is a cake walk to update the dynamic URL page content. Just updating the same in the database ensures that the content gets updated for all relevant links.
For affiliate sites, blogs, e-commerce sites, etc. which have huge content that need to be updated regularly, Dynamic URLs are generally preferred.
The key is to find the right balance for your website -between your dynamically generated pages which allows for a faster updating and your static pages which helps in SEO.
If you have further queries on the issue, post it as a comment below.
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