What is a URL?

Every page, file, and resource on the internet has an address — this is called a URL. URLs are essential for both users and browsers to locate and access content online. But what exactly is a URL, and how does it work?

What Does URL Stand For?

URL stands for Uniform Resource Locator. It's the standard way of specifying the address of a resource on the internet, such as a webpage, image, or document.

Why Are URLs Important?

They allow users to access specific content

Help search engines understand your website

URLs impact your site’s SEO rankings

Clean URLs build trust and improve user experience

They help structure your website clearly

Components of a URL

Example URL: https://www.overmift.net/blog/what-is-url

1. Protocol: https:// – Defines how data is transmitted

2. Subdomain: www. – A subdivision of the main domain

3. Domain name: overmift.net – Your site’s root address

4. Path: /blog/what-is-url – Directs to a specific page or resource

Best Practices for SEO-Friendly URLs

Keep them short and descriptive

Include target keywords

Avoid special characters and spaces

Eliminate unnecessary parameters

Use hyphens to separate words

Static vs Dynamic URLs

Static URL:
https://site.com/about-us
✓ SEO-friendly
✓ Easy to read

Dynamic URL:
https://site.com/index.php?id=123&cat=tools
✗ Hard to read
✗ Less SEO-friendly

Domain vs URL

A domain is the core address (e.g. overmift.net), while a URL refers to the full path to a specific resource under that domain.