Pretty and Simple: Quick Guide to Initial Permalink Set-up for WordPress

When you first set-up your WordPress based website/blog, there are a few things that need to be handled before diving into creating content, articles, and pages. I plan on going into that in TONS of detail in a later post, but today our focus is on permalink structure.

Rihanna "What?" GIFUm, Brit… what the HECK is a permalink?

A permalink is simply a unique URL that’s associated with the pages and posts on your website.

When you first set-up your WordPress website, by default, your permalink structure may look something like this:

http://yoursite.com/?p=123

This looks pretty meh and Google doesn’t like it very much.

To keeps things simple for both your website visitors and search engines, permalinks should be:

  • as short as possible
  • exclude “stop words” (“a”, “an”, “the”, etc.)
  • easy to spell
  • easy to remember
  • simple to type
  • and most importantly CONSISTENT.

It’s best to get this set-up before creating any pages or posts. To do so, in your WordPress Dashboard hover over Settings then click Permalinks. You’ll then get to a page that looks like this:

You’ll find a bunch of options for permalink structure. Let’s keep things simple since you’ve most likely just started your website/blog. Some suggestions for a simple permalink set-up would be:

  • yoursite.com/category/post-name
  • yoursite.com/postname (or %postname%)
  • yoursite.com/postname/numeric-ID

As you can see, I’ve gone with the “Post Name” option for my own website. Short and simple.

I plan on tackling subject in more detail in another post. That one will be geared towards folks who have had their WordPress website for a while and need permalink fixes across their entire website. Fun times, right?

BTW, these are the not-so-sexy things about setting up your WP-based website/blog, but if you handle them sooner than later, you’ll save yourself from some future frustrating website tasks.

Picture of Hey there, I'm Brittany. 👋🏾

Hey there, I'm Brittany. 👋🏾

I'm all about helping creatives and small businesses stand out and grow their brands confidently online. Interested in getting your dream website launched? Or does your current site need support from a web design nerd and expert? Let's work together; learn more about my services today!

Explore Web Design Services
Picture of Hey there, I'm Brittany. 👋🏾

Hey there, I'm Brittany. 👋🏾

I'm all about helping creatives and small businesses stand out and grow their brands confidently online. Interested in getting your dream website launched? Or does your current site need support from a web design nerd and expert? Let's work together; learn more about my services today!

Explore Web Design Services

Want more web design + productivity goodness?

Sign-up for The Weekly Check-in to get actionable web design tips, a list of my current favorite productivity resources + software, access to exclusive content, new digital product announcements, and more.

Feeling overwhelmed whenever you log into your website?

With the Declutter Your Website Guide & Checklist, you’ll have a simple, step-by-step plan to confidently clean up your core pages and make your site clear, functional, and ready to support your business goals.

Yay for a cookies notice! Cookies help me improve, promote, and protect my services. By clicking the "Accept" button you're cool with my use of cookies as per my cookie policy.