
Navigating URL Structure Challenges on Multilingual Websites: An Audit Reflection
Hello, readers!
Today, I want to share some insights and seek guidance regarding a multilingual website audit I’ve been conducting. This site has been operational for around two years, and while I typically refrain from altering URLs—especially on established sites—there are some aspects that have caught my attention and left me pondering.
The Current URL Structure
In examining the site, I’ve observed that each language version embeds the language code directly into the URL, such as:
- website.com/en/content/
- website.com/fr/content/11-a-propos-nous
It’s worth noting that this is my first experience with a multilingual website, and I’ve noticed that all non-product and non-category pages are categorized under a /content/
section. This raises a few questions about its necessity.
Key Questions
-
Is the
/content/
Segment Essential?
Is there an SEO advantage to retaining the/content/
part of the URL, or would it be prudent to eliminate it? -
Language Code Management
Are the current language codes in the URLs the best approach, or should I consider alternatives such as subdomains or an hreflang-only strategy? -
Am I Overanalyzing?
Is this concern merely about aesthetics, or does it have real implications on SEO?
Concerns Regarding Product and Category URLs
Another area of concern involves the product and category URLs, which appear cluttered with IDs and extraneous numbers:
- website.com/fr/terrazzo/123-8474-product-3.HTML#/225-epaisseur-25_cm
- website.com/fr/148-product
- website.com/fr/150-category
These irregularities not only detract from user-friendliness but also complicate navigation. Notably, the product URLs only seem to update after a user selects a color variant and clicks “add to cart,” which can confuse customers.
A Proposal for Improvement
I am considering suggesting a transition to cleaner and more readable URLs, omitting those unnecessary IDs and slashes. To be clear, I’m not inexperienced with URL restructuring; I’m well aware of the risks and approach these changes with caution, particularly on a live, established site.
Seeking Your Insights
If you’ve navigated similar challenges with a multilingual setup, I would love to hear your thoughts and recommendations. How have you approached URL structure in such contexts? Your feedback