Uniform Resource Locator

URL Uniform Resource Locator

Glossary

A Uniform Resource Locator (short: URL) is a special kind of URI specifying the exact address at which a resource is reachable on the internet – the classic web address. Unlike the overarching URI term, a URL describes not just what is identified but also where and how it can be retrieved.

Structure of a URL

https://www.example.com:443/leistungen/seo?ref=newsletter#kontakt
  • Protocol (https://): determines how the connection is established
  • Domain (www.example.com): identifies the server
  • Port (:443, usually implicit): addresses the responsible service on the server
  • Path (/leistungen/seo): the concrete location of the resource
  • Parameters (?ref=newsletter): additional, mostly optional information
  • Anchor (#kontakt): points to a specific spot within the page

Relative vs. absolute URLs

An absolute URL contains the complete address including protocol and domain (https://example.com/kontakt) and works independently of context. A relative URL contains only the path (/kontakt) – the browser fills in protocol and domain automatically from the current page. Internal links within a website are usually written relatively, external links always absolutely.

What makes an SEO-friendly URL

Not every technically working URL is also good for search engines and users:

  • Readable instead of cryptic: /leistungen/seo instead of /index.php?id=482
  • Short and stable: as few, permanent path segments as possible instead of deeply nested, frequently changing structures
  • Consistent spelling: lowercase throughout, hyphens instead of underscores or spaces
  • No duplicate content traps: one and the same page should not be reachable via several different URLs – a classic duplicate content pitfall, avoided via canonical URLs

If a URL nevertheless changes, say during a website relaunch, a permanent redirect (301) secures both the user journey and the search engine ranking already earned. More on this in our SEO services.

URL vs. URI vs. URN

Every URL is a URI, but not every URI is a URL: while a URL locates a resource (describing where and how it’s retrieved), a URN describes only a resource’s identity, independent of its current storage location – like an ISBN for a book.

Conclusion

The URL is the most visible interface between website structure and users, and simultaneously an often underestimated SEO factor. A well-thought-out, consistent URL structure pays off in both usability and search engine ranking. We take that into account from the start in every website project – more as part of our SEO services or directly in a no-obligation consultation.

Häufige Fragen

Is a URL the same as a domain?
No, the domain is only one component of the URL. example.com is the domain, https://example.com/leistungen/seo the complete URL. In addition to the domain, it contains the protocol, path and optionally further components such as parameters or an anchor.
What's the difference between a URL and a URI?
URI is the umbrella term for any unique resource identifier. A URL is a special URI that additionally describes the access path to the resource, i.e. not just identifying but also locating. Every URL is thus a URI, but not every URI is a URL.
What makes an SEO-friendly URL?
Short, readable and without unnecessary parameters or cryptic IDs: a URL like /leistungen/seo is easier to place for people and search engines than /index.php?id=482&cat=3. Consistent spelling (lowercase throughout, hyphens instead of underscores) and a stable structure that changes as rarely as possible also count.
Why shouldn't URLs contain special characters or spaces?
Because special characters and spaces in URLs must be technically encoded (e.g. a space as %20), making URLs unreadable and error-prone, say when typing them off manually or copying them. Hyphens count as the readable, SEO-friendly alternative for separating words.
What's the difference between a relative and an absolute URL?
An absolute URL contains the complete address including protocol and domain (https://example.com/kontakt). A relative URL, in contrast, relates to the current page and contains only the path (/kontakt) – the browser fills in protocol and domain automatically from the current page.
What happens when a URL changes?
Without precautions, the old URL would lead to an error page (404), for visitors as well as search engines, which thereby lose the ranking already built. A permanent redirect (301) from the old to the new URL avoids that and largely transfers the SEO value to the new address.
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