URLs can be a game-changer when it comes to online visibility. If you’re running a PrestaShop store, you might have noticed how the default URLs look a bit clunky, right? This is where implementing PrestaShop Pretty URLs comes in handy! They not only make your site look neat and clean but also help improve your SEO ranking. Let’s walk through the steps to make your URLs pretty and explore how this impacts your eCommerce store!
You can visit our module page here: https://addons.prestashop.com/en/url-redirects/16633-pretty-url-seo-friendly-url-removes-ids-numbers.html
What Are Pretty URLs in PrestaShop and Why Should You Use Them?
“Pretty URLs” might sound like a superficial term, but trust me, they’re anything but! Essentially, a PrestaShop Pretty URL is a clean, well-structured URL without unnecessary numbers, symbols, or special characters. So, instead of having a long and confusing link like www.mystore.com/index.php?id_product=245&controller=product, you’ll have something neat like www.mystore.com/product-category/product-name. See how much better that looks?
But it’s not just about looks! Pretty URLs are more than just eye candy for your site visitors—they’re also super important for SEO. Search engines love clean, concise URLs because they’re easier to read and categorize. This means better chances of ranking higher and more people finding your store. And who doesn’t want that?
How Do You Enable PrestaShop Pretty URLs?
Ready to get started with Pretty URLs on your store? It’s pretty straightforward:
Head over to your PrestaShop admin dashboard.
Click on Shop Parameters and then select Traffic & SEO.
Scroll down until you see the option for Friendly URLs.
Turn it on, and make sure to regenerate your .htaccess file to apply the changes.
And that’s it! Now you’ve got yourself some snazzy, SEO-friendly URLs.
Why Are My PrestaShop Pretty URLs Not Working?
Okay, so you’ve enabled PrestaShop Pretty URLs, but something’s not quite right? Don’t worry! This is a common issue that’s usually easy to fix. If your URLs aren’t displaying properly or you’re getting 404 errors, check the following:
Is the .htaccess file writable? If not, change the permissions.
Have you cleared your site’s cache? Make sure to clear it to reflect the changes.
Do you have duplicate URLs? Check if two or more pages have the same URL structure. If so, rename one of them.
With a little bit of troubleshooting, you’ll have everything working smoothly again in no time!
How Do Pretty URLs Improve SEO for PrestaShop Stores?
Let’s talk SEO! Search engines prioritize sites that have clear, keyword-rich URLs. So, by using PrestaShop Pretty URLs, you’re already giving yourself a head start. When Google crawls your site, it looks at your URLs to understand what the page is about. The cleaner and more relevant the URL, the easier it is for search engines to index your page correctly.
Also, don’t forget to add keywords naturally in the URLs—just don’t overdo it. For example, instead of www.mystore.com/id=123, a URL like www.mystore.com/summer-dresses tells both search engines and customers exactly what the page is about.
Check out our module page as well: https://www.fmemodules.com/en/prestashop-modules/49-prestashop-pretty-url.html
What is the Difference Between Pretty URLs and PrestaShop Friendly URLs?
This is a question that pops up often! Technically, they refer to the same thing. A PrestaShop Pretty URL is also known as a PrestaShop Friendly URL. It’s just another term for a clean, readable, and SEO-optimized URL. So, whether you call them pretty URLs or friendly URLs, you’re talking about the same feature!
How Do You Remove IDs from URLs in PrestaShop?
One of the best ways to make your PrestaShop URLs look cleaner is by removing the IDs from them. PrestaShop’s default URL structure often includes these annoying numbers that can make your links look long and unprofessional.
To remove IDs from your URLs, you can use PrestaShop’s built-in functionality, or, if you’re looking for even more control, try using a module specifically designed to clean up your URLs. Either way, removing IDs will make your site look more polished and easier to navigate.
How to Redirect Old URLs to New PrestaShop Pretty URLs?
When you switch to pretty URLs, it’s essential to set up proper redirects to avoid losing any SEO value or traffic. Use 301 redirects for old URLs pointing to your new, prettier ones. This tells search engines that your old page has permanently moved to a new location and passes the SEO authority from the old URL to the new one.
Here’s how to set it up:
Go to Traffic & SEO in your PrestaShop back office.
Scroll to the Redirections section.
Choose “301 redirect” for permanent redirections and set up your old-to-new URL mappings.
Easy, right? And doing this will prevent your users from running into those dreaded 404 error pages.
Are Pretty URLs Really Necessary?
If you’re serious about SEO and user experience, then yes! Pretty URLs give your store a professional appearance and make it easier for customers and search engines to understand your site structure. They can be a little tricky to set up, but the benefits are well worth it!
Final Thoughts: PrestaShop Pretty URLs Are a Must for SEO
Implementing PrestaShop Pretty URLs might seem like a small tweak, but it can have a big impact on your store’s SEO and user experience. Clean URLs are more appealing to visitors, easier to share, and preferred by search engines. So, if you haven’t enabled this feature yet, give it a try today. With a few simple changes, you’ll be on your way to a better-looking, better-ranking PrestaShop store!
After all, every little thing counts when you’re optimizing your eCommerce site for success, right?
PrestaShop Pretty URL – How to Make Your URLs More SEO-Friendly with Redirections?