The URL structure is the most important part of any On-Page Search engine optimization strategy. So, in this article, I am going to simplify What is URL(Uniform Resource Locator) and its structure.
History of URL:
These days URLs have been become an important part of the computer network, just like the internet itself. After that URL was introduced in the year 1994 by Tim Berners and Internet Engineering Task Force working group. So, URL format consists of domain names, file paths, slashes to separate the directories and the file names.
Definition of Uniform Resource Locator:
The complete address of a website is URL and the other name of it is Web address. A URL of each page is used to describe web pages for both search engines and visitors. A URL must actually be factually correct and very relevant to the theme of the website. Consider, with a simple example, a mailing address that allows mail to reach its destination, likewise a URL allows your browser to search for a specific web page or file on the Internet.
Structure of URL:
A URL is one of the most important things needed to reach any website or webpage. You go to any website or webpage by typing the web address or by clicking the link that already has a hyperlink to the destination page. Internet search engine optimization experts always recommend structuring your address in a quite simple and easy manner. So, you need to think while giving a name to your website. You must understand that as default the page title is utilized as the name of the page. But you can also define both differently and separately. You must provide the URL only in words that should not use any numbers unless it is important to explain the contents of that page.
Now, I am going to give a brief description of the components of the Uniform Resource Locator. They are
- Https
- Domain name
- Directory
- Filepath
Protocol(http or https):
This is the first component we use in the URL i.e; Http or Https. Http stands for Hypertext Transfer Protocol, while Https stands for Secure Hypertext Transfer Protocol. The purpose of the protocol in the address is that it functions as a set of rules in which the browser and the computer communicate to understand each other. The difference between Http and Https is defined as, in Http the data sent, is not encrypted while in Https the data sent is encrypted and safe to use. So, after HTTP or HTTPS there is a colon (:) and two slashes (//) that separate the protocol from the rest of the URL.
www:
WWW stands for World Wide Web. This legacy comes from the early days of the internet when more than one connected computer network was available. Most browsers will add this prefix by default.
Domain name:
A domain name is a unique name that is registered for one owner and points to the root directory of the computer hosted on the website. The last part of the domain is known as the domain suffix or the extension which gives useful information about the website’s owner and is used to identify the type or location of the website. For example, “.com” is an acronym for commercial, “.org” is an acronym for an organization, and “.co.uk” is the United Kingdom. Domain names are designed to make it easier for people to remember how to find websites rather than using alternative numbers.
Directories:
Next portion in the URL is the directory i.e; directories are separated by(/) so, a directory can be easily defined, a directory on which the webpage server is located.
File Path:
The path is nothing but just like you organize your files in folders on the computer, websites do the same for their webpage files. Every URL ends with a file name with an extension like .php, .html etc.
Working of URL:
How a URL works can be easily determined where the URL acts as the address bar for your website. For example, when the user or client clicks on a URL or hyperlink of a website then the browser sends a request to the server for a specific web page. In return, the server firstly reads the protocol of the URL and read the hostname and convert the hostname into IP address and then sends requested page to the client or user.
So, by the above information, you have got a brief idea about Uniform Resource Locator(URL) and its structure. If you have any queries mention in the comment section below.(
Shravani Netha is an excellent content writer. She drags her mind all over new information and easily grasps every piece of knowledge. Inject her knowledge all the way into your brain and update yourself.
