URL structure might seem minor, but it affects both SEO and user experience. Clean URLs are easier to read, share, and understand.
Keep URLs Short and Descriptive
A good URL tells you what the page is about. /products/handmade-ceramic-mug is better than /products/id38472. Short URLs also display better in search results.
Use Hyphens, Not Underscores
Google treats hyphens as word separators. Underscores are not. Use /blue-widgets not /blue_widgets.
Lowercase Only
URLs are case-sensitive. Use all lowercase to avoid confusion. /Products/Blue-Widget and /products/blue-widget could be treated as different pages.
Avoid Special Characters
Stick to letters, numbers, and hyphens. Special characters create messy URLs and can cause issues with some systems.
Maintain URL Consistency
Once you set a URL, do not change it. If you must change, set up 301 redirects from the old URL to the new one. Broken links hurt SEO.
Shopify URL Types
Shopify uses predictable patterns: /products/slug, /collections/slug, /pages/slug, /blogs/slug. Work within these patterns rather than fighting them.
Clean URLs are a small detail that makes a real difference in how Google and users perceive your store.