Here are some basic tips we need to go over when you perform canocalization, what to do right, the common issues and how you would address them.

1) URL Canocalization:

While it would appear to be a complicated term, what it would it would just imply that the content would need a single URL to do its job, For instance, a website may have similar content on many URLS, but search engines would regard them as being different from each other.

With dependence on how you would do internal linking , or how others would link to them externally, search engines would in the process find out the multiple URLs. Should a single page contain have 6 or more permutations, it would be easy to figure out how  a website could lose control in a quick time.

One may fix the issue using the rel=canonical meta tag, however this would be much more of a quick solution. Should 99% of individuals linking to a version of the URL not adhering to the rel=canonical tag, the search engines will disregard the tag for the links. You could handle this with ease through the utilization of server side programming. Utilize htaccess or even ISAPI for the configuration of the web server in order to serve pages often with or always lacking the “www”. Should it allow you three more characters should you keep the www or allow you to utilize a larger font size for printed material if you disregard it. There would not be an SEO value in another manner, and you have to be consistent.

2) File extensions for URLs:

It is hardly valuable having .html, .php, .asp of even any other file extension, long as you select a common one and not an irregular similar to .dx that brings out a programming language of selection. With this stated, the ideal method would be not to employ any extension. Should the website be around much, there is a good chance that you would transfer from one language to another one, and change the file extensions. Should you do, you  will have to set up redirects in order that you do not lose inbound link equity. It may be that the server could be put up to serve .asp pages with the utilization of .php programming, but this would make the server function harder than it would. It would not play a factor on a couple of sites, but it would on those that are busy. Should you be utilizing extensions at the moment, you should not change them just because you wanto—you have to wait until the code is upgraded, then take out all of the extensions.

As we are referring to the “end” of the URL, you should also keep in mind the slash trailing the end of the URL.  You have to ensure that the server is configured to use it consistently use or not use it. You should not use it inconsistently.

3) Word Delimiters for URLs:

There had been a moment wherein Google cared regarding your usage between words, but this isn’t as significant now. You may utilize hyphens or underscores, and it would hardly matter. Should you select another character, you are proceeding off the reservation, and the search engines may have an issue of finding the words and giving them value, so stay by the course with the best of caution. Make sure also against bunching words together. Search engines could be good enough to find out easy, common and high volume keywords, while others become an issue.

The Length of the URL:

A shorter URL length would almost always be better compared to longer. As an ideal , you would desire to not have in excess of five words. Should you be able to put it closer to three, it could prove to be even better. Do not utilize abbreciations, stop words or even short words. Even if search engines could deal with longer URLs, it still seems to be better under the 60 characters in whole length, and that includes the sites.

Keywords and Numbers Inclusion in the URLs:

Speaking as a whole, it would better to include keywords in the URL than not having any. But putting to many keywords in the URL may work in derogatory manner coming from an algorithmic and perception view.

Should you utilize numbers in the URLs, take care. Ensure that they would not come in a format Google could regard as a date. Should it be in a format similar to adate, they could be seen as that and the post would appear older or younger than it would be.

URL Parameters:

One of the issues akin to URL would be the utilization of parameters. In the first days of the Internet, developers and programmers made use of parameters for URLs to monitor objects including the products or the sessions of shopping. Right now it would be utilized by everyone from advertising and marketing up to customer service. From the beginning, search engines had many issues with parameters, so they did not heed any URLs that had parameters in them. Now they appear to be sophisticated and in a lot of cases went about them in a fine manner. To add, they also tools which where specialized giving you the capability to ignore said parameters. You should not fall for this, however. Utilization of parameters is similar to sword fighting. Unless you prove to be very good, in the long run someone will be hurt. You can steer clear of the issue if you get rid of parameters in the long run. Should you have to use URL tracking, utilize hash tag tracking.

URL Directories:

Asking whether or not to utilize directories in the URL have  a small nuance. Should you have a big site coming in excess of 500 or 1000 pages, you will indeed need directories for URLs. Should you require a smaller site, it would be your call. Utilizing directories would offer you more control but costing you complexity plus overall URL length, so heed the choices before you decide.

Moving, Replacing and Redirecting the URLs:

Should the URL be around for quite some time now, you would need to change URLs eventually. Once you do, in order to keep the flow, you should use a 301 redirect from the old URL to the new URL. Search engines have decided better regarding other types, but utilizing such would be a huge risk.

Not unless you work with a CMS that is custom built, it would be hard if you have the flexibility nd control for each aspect given above. Just regard this as a trade off, wherein the more you give up, the more you place in the way of overall effort for SEO, making things harder for yourself.

Peter Zmijewski is the founder and CEO at KeywordSpy. His expert knowledge on Internet Marketing practices and techniques has earned him the title “Internet Marketing Guru“. He is also an innovator, investor and entrepreneur widely recognized by the top players in the industry.