As a franchise, it’s crucial to maintain a consistent URL structure across all your franchise locations. Think of your URL structure like the address system for a city. Just as each house needs a clear address for deliveries and visitors, every franchise location needs a well-defined URL to guide search engines and customers. Unfortunately, many franchises get this wrong, which then impacts their franchisee’s local visibility in online searches.
Poor URL Structure for Franchise
For instance, consider the following example of URLs from just one franchise:
- https://yourfranchise.com/location/jax
- https://yourfranchise.com/springfield
- https://yourfranchise.com/yourfranchise-atlanta
- https://yourfranchisenash.com
These URLs lack uniformity, making it difficult for search engines to understand the relationship between different franchise locations, much like a disorganized file folder system where finding the right document becomes a frustrating challenge.
Poor URL Structure for Franchise in Multiple States
- https://yourfranchise.com/springfield
Given that there are over 30 Springfields across various states, it’s essential to add the state to your URL. This practice not only clarifies which Springfield you’re referring to but also allows for the addition of future franchise locations in other Springfields while maintaining a consistent URL structure. For example, you could use:
https://yourfranchise.com/locations/springfield-ilhttps://yourfranchise.com/locations/springfield-ma
OR incorporate the full state name:
https://yourfranchise.com/locations/illinois/springfieldhttps://yourfranchise.com/locations/missouri/springfield
This way, each location remains distinct and easily navigable for both users and search engines, ensuring that your franchise benefits from improved visibility and organization.
Better URL Structure for Franchise
A consistent structure not only enhances your franchisees SEO efforts but also improves the user experience.
Instead, consider a standardized format like:
- https://yourfranchise.com/locations/city
- https://yourfranchise.com/locations/city
- https://yourfranchise.com/locations/city
OR like this:
- https://yourfranchise.com/locations/city-state
- https://yourfranchise.com/locations/city-state
- https://yourfranchise.com/locations/city-state
OR like this:
- https://yourfranchise.com/locations/state-city
- https://yourfranchise.com/locations/state-city
- https://yourfranchise.com/locations/state-city
OR like this:
- https://yourfranchise.com/locations/state/city
- https://yourfranchise.com/locations/state/city
- https://yourfranchise.com/locations/state/city
The above formats clearly indicate the hierarchical relationship between the main franchise site and its individual locations, helping both search engines and users navigate your franchise website more easily. Whichever URL file folder structure you use, be consistent AND remember to keep in mind future locations.
Streamlining URL Structures: A Necessity for Franchisee Success
When managing hundreds or thousands of locations, ensuring that every franchisee has a coherent URL structure is essential. Transitioning from oversight to awareness about URL structure may be challenging for a franchise, especially if you have existing URLs that are already indexed in multiple places. Changing these can require significant effort to update links and inform customers. However, by auditing and implementing a consistent URL structure going forward, you’ll set your franchisees up for better SEO practices. This proactive approach allows you to harness the power of SEO, ultimately benefiting your franchise AND franchisee by improving visibility and attracting more local customers.
Need Help with SEO? Let’s Optimize Your Franchise Together.
Achieving outstanding marketing results requires more than just luck—it takes strategy and expertise. That’s why we offer tailored SEO consulting services and comprehensive digital audits designed to enhance your franchise’s online performance. We collaborate closely with franchisees like you to create customized solutions that align with your unique business objectives and improve your website’s visibility. Whether you’re looking to refine your URL structure, boost local SEO, or conduct a thorough website audit, we’re here to support you every step of the way.
