Creating URL Redirects

: Shopify allows the creation of URL redirects to guide visitors from one URL to another, effectively masking the "/pages" in the original URL. This means if someone types in "yourstore.com/about-us", they can be redirected to "yourstore.com/pages/about-us" without seeing the longer URL in their address bar.

Shopify's Constraints

: It's important to note that Shopify places certain restrictions on modifying URL structures directly. The platform's architecture is designed to maintain a standard URL schema for pages, products, and collections for consistency and SEO benefit.

: When employing redirects, consider the SEO implications. Although redirects are a common practice, excessive use can lead to slower page loading times and might complicate Google's ability to correctly index your site.

: Shopify continuously evolves, and there's always a possibility new features addressing URL customization might be introduced. Keep an eye on Shopify updates and community forums for potential solutions.

Can I remove "/pages" from my Shopify URL without redirects?

As of now, Shopify doesn't allow direct removal of this segment from the URL structure. The recommended approach involves using URL redirects.

Will using redirects affect my store’s SEO?

When implemented correctly, redirects should not adversely affect your SEO. However, excessive or improper use might lead to complications, so it's essential to use them judiciously.

Can I perform these changes myself?

Creating URL redirects can be done easily through the Shopify admin panel. Editing theme code for more complex changes, however, might require assistance from a professional with experience in Shopify's Liquid code.

Is there a limit to the number of redirects I can create in Shopify?

Shopify does not specify a limit, but it's crucial to manage redirects efficiently to ensure they contribute positively to your site's structure and SEO.

How do changes to the URL structure impact existing bookmarks or links?

If you've redirected old URLs to the new structure, bookmarks, and links will still work by directing users to the new URLs. Ensure all old URLs are properly redirected to prevent any broken links.

How to Remove Pages from URL in Shopify: A Step-by-Step Guide

Introduction
Understanding Shopify URL Structure
Steps to Remove Pages from Shopify URLs
Limitations and Considerations
Conclusion
FAQ

Setting up your Shopify store involves a myriad of tasks, from choosing themes to adding products, and one such task might be optimizing your URL structure. URLs play a significant role in a website's SEO and user experience. Specifically, Shopify store owners often encounter a common concern: the automatic addition of "/pages", "/collections", or "/products" to their store URLs. This guide will delve into how to remove these from your URLs, enhancing readability and potentially improving your SEO performance.

Introduction

Imagine this: you've just launched your Shopify store, adorned with an exquisite theme and brimming with enticing products. Yet, there's a minor hiccup - your URLs are cluttered with additional segments like "/pages", detracting from the sleek professionalism you aimed for. Not only does this affect the aesthetics, but it might also impede your website's SEO and user navigability.

The digital landscape is constantly evolving, with URL structure playing a crucial role in a site's SEO strategy. A clean, concise URL is not just about looks; it's about making a good impression on both users and search engines. They say, "First impressions last," and in the digital world, your URLs are often that first handshake.

In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore the steps to streamline your Shopify store's URL structure, specifically focusing on removing "/pages" from your URLs. We understand the importance of maintaining an optimized online presence, and this guide aims to equip you with the knowledge to enhance your site’s SEO and user experience.

Understanding Shopify URL Structure

Before diving into the solution, it's crucial to understand the default URL structure in Shopify and why it includes certain segments. Shopify automatically adds "/pages", "/collections", and "/products" to URLs to categorize content clearly on your website. This structure is designed to organize your site content but may not align with every store owner's preferences for a streamlined URL.

Steps to Remove Pages from Shopify URLs

Redirecting URLs

While Shopify's fixed URL structure includes "/pages", "/collections", and "/products", store owners looking for a cleaner URL can employ redirection as a workaround.

Creating URL Redirects: Shopify allows the creation of URL redirects to guide visitors from one URL to another, effectively masking the "/pages" in the original URL. This means if someone types in "yourstore.com/about-us", they can be redirected to "yourstore.com/pages/about-us" without seeing the longer URL in their address bar.
Implementing Redirects in Shopify:
- Go to your Shopify Admin panel.
- Navigate to Online Store > Navigation.
- Click on URL Redirects, then on the button to Create URL Redirect.
- In "Redirect from" field, enter the short URL (e.g., "yourstore.com/about-us").
- In "Redirect to" field, enter the full URL including "/pages" (e.g., "yourstore.com/pages/about-us").
- Save your changes.

Editing Theme Code

For a more permanent solution, tech-savvy store owners or developers can delve into the theme's code to implement URL rewriting techniques. This involves creating conditions within the theme's code that intercept and rewrite URLs on the fly. However, this approach requires extensive knowledge of Shopify’s Liquid code and might not be feasible for all users.

Limitations and Considerations

Shopify's Constraints: It's important to note that Shopify places certain restrictions on modifying URL structures directly. The platform's architecture is designed to maintain a standard URL schema for pages, products, and collections for consistency and SEO benefit.
SEO Implications: When employing redirects, consider the SEO implications. Although redirects are a common practice, excessive use can lead to slower page loading times and might complicate Google's ability to correctly index your site.
Future Features: Shopify continuously evolves, and there's always a possibility new features addressing URL customization might be introduced. Keep an eye on Shopify updates and community forums for potential solutions.

Conclusion

Achieving the perfect URL structure in Shopify might seem like a challenging task due to the platform's built-in constraints. However, with the right approach, such as implementing URL redirects, you can create a more navigable and SEO-friendly website. Remember, the goal is not just to improve aesthetics but also to enhance the overall user experience and SEO performance of your Shopify store.

As with any significant changes to your website, proceed with caution and consider the long-term implications on your SEO and user experience. And while the current solutions might have their limitations, the future might bring more flexibility to Shopify's URL structure management.

FAQ

Can I remove "/pages" from my Shopify URL without redirects?
As of now, Shopify doesn't allow direct removal of this segment from the URL structure. The recommended approach involves using URL redirects.
Will using redirects affect my store’s SEO?
When implemented correctly, redirects should not adversely affect your SEO. However, excessive or improper use might lead to complications, so it's essential to use them judiciously.
Can I perform these changes myself?
Creating URL redirects can be done easily through the Shopify admin panel. Editing theme code for more complex changes, however, might require assistance from a professional with experience in Shopify's Liquid code.
Is there a limit to the number of redirects I can create in Shopify?
Shopify does not specify a limit, but it's crucial to manage redirects efficiently to ensure they contribute positively to your site's structure and SEO.
How do changes to the URL structure impact existing bookmarks or links?
If you've redirected old URLs to the new structure, bookmarks, and links will still work by directing users to the new URLs. Ensure all old URLs are properly redirected to prevent any broken links.