Inquiry About URL Structure for E-Commerce on Shopify
Hi everyone,
I’m currently developing an e-commerce website focused on selling billiard tables and related accessories, and I could use your insights on the most effective category and URL structure for SEO.
Initially, I considered a straightforward structure like this:
📂 Billiard Tables (/billiard-tables/)
📂 Pool Tables (/billiard-tables/pool-tables/)
📂 Snooker Tables (/billiard-tables/snooker-tables/)
📂 Carom Tables (/billiard-tables/carom-tables/)
📂 Billiard Accessories (/billiard-accessories/)
📂 Cues (/billiard-accessories/cues/)
📂 Billiard Balls (/billiard-accessories/billiard-balls/)
📂 Chalk & Maintenance (/billiard-accessories/chalk-maintenance/)
While this structure seems logical, I have some concerns:
- Pool, Snooker, and Carom Tables are different types of Billiard Tables.
- A user searching for “billiard tables” could be interested in any of these options, while others may be looking for a specific type, like a Snooker Table.
- This leads me to wonder: Should I maintain this direct structure, or would it be more beneficial to establish a broader “Billiards” category?
Alternative: “Billiards” as the Primary Category
Instead of using “Billiard Tables” as the main category, I could organize it as follows:
📂 Billiards (/billiards/)
📂 Billiard Tables (/billiards/billiard-tables/)
📂 Pool Tables (/billiards/billiard-tables/pool-tables/)
📂 Snooker Tables (/billiards/billiard-tables/snooker-tables/)
📂 Carom Tables (/billiards/billiard-tables/carom-tables/)
📂 Billiard Accessories (/billiards/accessories/)
📂 Cues (/billiards/accessories/cues/)
📂 Billiard Balls (/billiards/accessories/billiard-balls/)
📂 Chalk & Maintenance (/billiards/accessories/chalk-maintenance/)
My SEO Objectives:
- Aim to rank /billiard-tables/ for general queries like “billiard tables,” while still enabling Pool Tables and Snooker Tables to rank for their specific searches.
- Ensure that Google recognizes Pool Tables, Snooker Tables, and Carom Tables as subcategories of Billiard Tables.
- Maintain a scalable structure and avoid unnecessary complexity.
My Questions:
- Which structure is more advantageous for SEO? Should I prioritize Billiard Tables as the main category, or is it wiser to adopt a broader “Billiards” category?
- Will Google have difficulty understanding that Pool, Snooker, and Carom Tables are all types of Billiard Tables? Would effective internal linking suffice?
- Should URLs be formatted in singular or plural? (e.g., /billiard-table/ vs. /billiard-tables/)
- Are there any other best practices or potential pitfalls I should be aware of?
I’d really appreciate your feedback! Thank you in advance.
One response to “Question about URL Structure (E-Commerce/Shopify)”
Hey there!
You’ve laid out a thoughtful structure for your e-commerce site, and it’s great to see you considering both SEO and user experience. Here are my thoughts on your questions:
1. Which structure is better for SEO?
I’d recommend going with the broader “Billiards” category structure. This approach allows you to more effectively capture a variety of search queries by providing a clearer hierarchy. From an SEO perspective, having “Billiards” at the top conveys a broader topic and allows you to rank for general search terms while still properly categorizing your specific products under “Billiard Tables.”
This structure supports both general and specific search intents, showing Google that “Billiard Tables,” “Pool Tables,” “Snooker Tables,” and “Carom Tables” are all related subcategories.
2. Would Google struggle to understand that Pool, Snooker, and Carom Tables are all Billiard Tables? Or would internal linking be enough?
Google’s algorithms have become quite sophisticated and can understand relationships between categories, especially when you use clear internal linking strategies. If you choose the broader “Billiards” category approach, make sure to use internal links within your articles and product pages to connect related content. This will further reinforce the relationships within your category structure. Adding a brief description on the main category page about how these tables are interconnected can also help.
3. Should URLs use singular or plural?
Using plural for URLs is generally recommended—so the structure would be
/billiard-tables/and/billiard-accessories/. This approach better represents collections of items and aligns with how most consumers search online (e.g., “billiard tables” vs. “billiard table”). Plural URLs tend to generate more traffic as they correlate with the general search behavior.4. Any other best practices or mistakes to avoid?
Keyword Optimization: Ensure that each category and subcategory page is optimized for relevant keywords. Use them in titles, headings, and throughout the content.
Content Creation: Create informative content around each category. Blog posts about the different types of billiard tables, maintenance tips, or guides will help generate organic traffic and solidify your site’s authority.
Mobile Optimization: Ensure that your navigation is easy to use on mobile devices, as many consumers shop using their phones.
Use Breadcrumbs: Implement breadcrumbs on your site. This not only aids navigation for users but also helps search engines better understand the structure of your site.
Regularly Audit the Structure: As your inventory grows, keep an eye on the structure to ensure it remains logical and user-friendly.
By considering these points, you’re well on your way to building an SEO-friendly e-commerce site. Good luck with your project!