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Migration & Relaunch

URL Structure

URL structure defines how web addresses are formed and organized hierarchically.

A clear URL structure helps users and search engines understand how pages relate to one another within a site. Consistent hierarchies, readable slugs, and stable paths improve navigation, maintainability, and SEO. The concept is closely related to Slug and Information Architecture.

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Slug

Information Architecture

Canonical URL

Multilingual URL Structure

FAQ

URL Structure

How is the URL structure designed for multilingual websites?
Common options are subdirectories such as /de/ and /en/, subdomains, or country-specific domains. Subdirectories are easier to maintain; separate domains per country allow stronger local separation at higher effort. A consistent pattern and language annotations via hreflang are what count.
How deep can a URL structure be?
There is no fixed limit. Deep paths are not forbidden but often look cluttered and hint at an overly complex architecture. As a rule of thumb, two to three levels suffice for most sites. Clarity and stability matter more than any particular number.
What are the consequences of changing the URL structure?
Every changed address needs a 301 redirect, otherwise links, bookmarks, and search signals are lost. During relaunches this is a main risk for visibility. A complete old-to-new mapping should be prepared beforehand and verified after go-live. Changes without a solid reason should be avoided.
How should a good URL structure be organized?
Flat, logical, and descriptive: few levels that mirror the content hierarchy, lowercase letters, hyphens, and no flood of parameters. An address like /services/web-design is easier to grasp than /p?id=42. The structure follows the information architecture and should remain viable for years.