In today’s competitive online marketplace, a strong presence on search engines can make all the difference for short-term rental owners. When prospective guests are searching for unique stays, having a well-optimized website can be the key to showing up at the top of their results.
One often-overlooked part of Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is something called URL structure—a foundational element that helps search engines (and your guests) understand what each page on your website is about.
What Is a URL Structure, and Why Does It Matter?
Every webpage has a URL, or web address, and the way it’s structured affects how easily it can be found by search engines. When a URL includes descriptive words that reflect the content of the page, search engines are more likely to recognize it as relevant. This relevance can lead to higher rankings in search results, which means more visibility for your listing and ultimately, more bookings.
For example, let’s say you have a beautiful seaside property in Malibu. Which URL do you think would be more enticing (and informative) for both guests and search engines?
• Option A: www.yourwebsite.com/property/123
• Option B: www.yourwebsite.com/property/malibubeachhouse
Clearly, Option B offers more context and is much easier to remember. The descriptive URL doesn’t just look better—it signals to search engines that your page is all about “Malibu Beach House,” helping boost your relevance for that term.
What Is a “Slug”?
For those who aren’t familiar, a slug is simply the part of a URL that comes after the main website address and usually refers to a specific page or post. For example, in the URL “www.yourwebsite.com/property/malibubeachhouse,” the “malibubeachhouse” part is the slug. Setting custom slugs allows you to use keywords that align with your property’s unique appeal, making your listing more searchable and memorable.
Why Custom Slugs Improve SEO
Custom slugs benefit your website’s SEO in several ways:
1. Increased Relevance: Slugs with relevant keywords (like “malibubeachhouse”) make your page more likely to match search queries.
2. Better User Experience: Custom URLs are clean, easy to read, and memorable. Guests are more likely to trust a URL with recognizable words, which translates into better click-through rates.
3. Higher Rankings: Search engines often prioritize pages with descriptive URLs, so having a well-named slug can improve your chances of ranking higher for specific terms.
Introducing Custom URL Slugs with CraftedStays
At CraftedStays, we believe in empowering short-term rental hosts with the right tools to boost their online visibility. That’s why we’re excited to introduce our new feature that allows you to set custom slugs for your property pages. With this tool, you can now create clear, descriptive URLs for each listing—making it easier for potential guests to find you online.
Instead of the default ID-based URLs, you can now personalize your URLs, creating a stronger SEO foundation without needing technical expertise. Whether it’s “/property/malibubeachhouse” or “/property/mountainchalet,” you now have control over your listing’s URL.
By taking advantage of this feature, you’re not just giving your website a cleaner look—you’re giving search engines the information they need to connect you with guests who are searching for the perfect stay.