URL
What is a URL?
A URL, which stands for Universal Resource Locator, is the unique web address of a website, image, document or any other resource on the web. While URLs are specific types of Uniform Resource Identifiers (URI) most commonly used to reference webpages, they're also employed in email communications, file transferring processes and database accessing.
The URL of any webpage can be found in the address bar at the top of the screen of most web browsers (such as Chrome, Safari or Firefox). If you take a look at the address bar of this webpage, for example, you’ll see that its URL is https://www.wix.com/encyclopedia/definition/__url. To see the full-form URL of an image or document within a broader webpage, right-click to copy the element’s address and paste it into a new tab or page.
It’s important to keep in mind that while the terms are often used interchangeably, domain names are not the same as URL addresses. While purchasing a domain name allows webpage owners to customize their online address, it's only one component of a URL.
Different parts of a URL
The parts of a URL each of which plays a crucial role in the performance of a site:
Protocol
Otherwise known as “scheme”, the first part of a URL indicates which protocol must be used by the browser to access the resources. The most common protocols include HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) and HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure) for web elements and FTP (File Transfer Protocol) to download files.
Subdomain
Sitting at the beginning of the domain, subdomains help navigate and organize the different sections of large sites. They’re most commonly used in websites with a significant amount of content and pages, such as online stores, support platforms and blogs.
Domain
Also referred to as second-level domain or host, this is the actual name of your website and thus the most customizable part of your URL. Together with subdomains and top-level domains, this section completes the definition of domain name.
Learn more: How to transfer a domain name
Top-level domain
Top-level domains (TLD) are one of the highest levels in the web’s hierarchical Domain Name System (DNS). The most popular TLD is .com, which is intended for commercial entities in the United States (hence .com). Other popular TLDs include .co.uk, .tech, .store, .info, .org, .co, .net, .edu, .biz .gov, .tv and country-specific extensions such as .mx, .ch, .de, .be, .nl. or .co.uk.
Path
The final part of a URL is the path, sitting after a slash and used to designate specific pages. This section is often broken down into smaller elements such as subdirectory, file name and parameters. For example, ‘/encyclopedia/definition/__url’ is the path for this webpage’s URL.
How does a URL work?
URLs (Uniform Resource Locators) identify resources on the internet. A web browser uses the URL given to locate and retrieve the requested web page from the server, displaying it to the user.
Why are URLs important?
URLs (Uniform Resource Locators) are crucial for navigating the internet. They provide a standardized way to access resources, such as web pages, images and videos.
URLs specify the exact location of a resource, enabling browsers to retrieve and display content accurately. They are essential for linking between web pages, facilitating seamless user experiences. Additionally, URLs play a key role in SEO, helping search engines index and rank content. They also enhance usability by allowing users to share and bookmark specific pages easily. Overall, URLs are fundamental to the structure and functionality of the web, ensuring efficient information retrieval and sharing.
Learn more about how to make a website.
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The importance of a semantic URL
Also known as friendly URLs, semantic URLs are composed of logical parts that allow visitors to easily understand which webpage they’re in and where it falls within the site hierarchy. Just like when choosing a domain name, there are a few crucial areas that can be severely impacted by whether or not a site uses semantic URLs:
Usability
Users should be able to navigate a site solely through the address bar, or at the very least, be capable of easily retracing their steps from within it. Complex URLs might deter visitors from extending their stay on the page in favor of alternatives with a better user experience.
SEO
Clear URLs allow search engine crawlers to have a better understanding of the type of page they’re indexing and how it relates to others on the site. As a result, they’re most likely to rank and build stronger site authority. Think of a semantic URL as a way to properly organize your pages in a labeled drawer, rather than throwing all of them into a closet and hoping for the best.
Accessibility
Visitors using screen readers must be able to understand where links are leading to and what kind of information they contain without having to decipher a URL packed with complex strings.
URL FAQ
What's the difference between a domain and subdomain?
The domain is the main part of the URL, like "example.com." A subdomain is a sublevel of the domain, like "blog.example.com." Subdomains can represent different sections of a website or different services.