WWW vs Non-WWW: Which One You Should Consider For SEO

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There is a myth in SEO regarding choosing www and non www protocols for your site. Before we start implementing for an average user and small business owner, there is categorically no variance between www vs non www. It’s completely a personal preference no matter what you choose for your domain.

There is only one main technical difference between these two types of URLs and Google doesn’t have a preference for one or the other.

Before we get into what that www and non-www difference is, here’s how the URL will look to the user:

URLs with www:

https://www.businessname.com

http://www. businessname.com

URLs without www:

https:// businessname.com

http:// businessname.com

SEO Benefits of www and non-www:

When it comes to the question of SEO benefits there is no special theory behind this. What’s important is that you stay consistent with the one that you chose at the time of starting your website. In other words, do not change your site URL to add or remove www from it.

Technical Difference between WWW vs non-WWW

When you add www. in front of a site, it acts as a hostname which can help with flexibility with DNS, the ability to restrict cookies when using multiple subdomains, and more. Whereas non-WWW domains also referred to as naked domains do not have a technical advantage.

Pros and Cons

Now that we’ve outlined some of the minor differences between the two URLs, let’s discuss the pros and cons of both.

WWW URL Pros

Convenient for searchers to type the domain with www because all websites began with www at one point.
www URL allows you to set cookies for your specific www subdomain.
Website with www may appear more authentic than non-www URLs.

WWW URL Cons

Most users don’t type www anymore when searching the web.
Since Google favors shorter URLs, the www prefix makes the URL much longer.

Non-WWW URL Pros

With the non-www domain, you don’t have the option to restrict cookies just to the root domain.
Non-www domains don’t have CNAME records, which means you cannot redirect traffic from one server to the other.

Non-WWW URL Cons

It’s much easier and faster for the users to just type the domain in the search.
With the domain name being four characters shorter, it may have an impact on the search engine’s loyalty.

Canonicalization

One of the most important concepts in search engine optimization is canonicalization, which is the process of determining which URL format is best for a webpage when there are many copies of the same content. Canonicalization is significant when deciding between www and non-www versions of a website.

Canonicalization, as it relates to www versus non-www URLs, is designating one version of the URL as the preferred or canonical version and considering the other version as a duplicate or alternate URL. By doing this, search engines can determine which version of the URL to index and show in search results, preventing duplicate content problems and guaranteeing accurate webpage indexing and ranking.

Think of a website, for instance, that contains URLs that are both www and non-www:

www.example.com

example.com

Search engines could perceive these URLs as different sites with the same or comparable content if canonicalization isn’t done correctly, which could result in duplicate content problems. This may lessen the website’s authority and cause search engines to become confused about which URL version to display first in search results.

Website owners can use canonical tags, which are HTML elements positioned in the head part of a webpage, to address this. Search engines are informed by the canonical tag—which designates the preferred version of the URL—that all URL variants should be combined and indexed under the canonical URL.

The canonical tag would be added to the non-www version of the URL (example.com), for example, to indicate that www.example.com is the canonical version if that is the preferred version. Better search engine ranks and more accurate indexing result from this consolidation of the SEO value of anchor text, inbound links, and other webpage-related ranking variables.

Website Structure and Navigation

Understanding how URL formatting impacts user experience and site administration is crucial when analyzing how selecting between www and non-www URLs affects the structure and navigation of websites.

Uniformity in URL Structure: Selecting www or non-www URLs creates uniformity in the structure of the website. By referencing the same version of the URL throughout all internal links, navigation menus, and sitemaps, consistent URL formatting helps to avoid misunderstanding among users and search engines.
Better User Experience: By offering logical and predictable navigation routes, a consistent URL structure improves user experience. The website’s URLs are simple for users to comprehend and remember, which makes it simpler for them to share links with others or go back to particular pages. This ease of use enhances the browsing experience, which raises interest and pleasure.
Helps with Site Management: Keeping the URL format constant makes site maintenance and administration easier. Webmasters can quickly track and manage internal links, change navigation menus, and evaluate site performance with uniform URLs across the website, all without the hassle of managing different URL variants. This lowers the possibility of mistakes or discrepancies while streamlining administrative procedures.
Improved SEO: Consistent URL layout can benefit search engine rankings from an SEO standpoint. Because they are simpler to scan and index, search engines prefer websites with logical and well-organized architectures. Websites may increase their relevance and exposure in search engine results by using a consistent structure for their URLs, whether they are www or not. This will eventually increase organic traffic.
Navigation Optimization: User engagement and website navigation can also be impacted by the selection between www and non-www URLs. For instance, webmasters may design logical and user-friendly navigation menus that smoothly lead visitors through the site’s content by using consistent URL syntax. Websites may improve usability and stimulate exploration by lining up navigation elements with the selected URL format. This will increase client satisfaction and conversion.

HTTPS Implementation

Since HTTPS encryption has significant effects on security, search engine results, and user trust, both www and non-www versions of websites need to be used.

Advantages of HTTPS for Security: HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure) encrypts data while it is transferred between a user’s browser and the website server, guaranteeing that private information is kept secret and shielded from unauthorized access or alteration. For websites that handle sensitive data, including login passwords, credit card numbers, and personal information, this encryption is significant. Website owners can reduce the risk of data breaches and cyberattacks and protect user privacy by installing HTTPS.
Effect on Search Engine Rankings: HTTPS has become a ranking element in search engine algorithms, especially Google’s, in addition to improving security. Websites that offer a secure browsing experience are given priority by search engines, which reward HTTPS-enabled sites with higher search result ranks. Website owners may increase their online presence and perhaps draw in more organic visitors by making the switch to HTTPS, which will increase their visibility and trustworthiness in search engine results pages (SERPs).
User Trust and Confidence: In addition to safeguarding user data, HTTPS gives website visitors a sense of trust and confidence. Users are comforted that their connection to the website is encrypted and safe when they see the padlock icon and “Secure” label in the address bar of their browser. Users may interact with the website more freely as a result of this sense of security, revealing private information, completing forms, and making transactions. Additionally, HTTPS maintains the integrity and reputation of the website by preventing security alerts and browser warnings that might discourage visitors from visiting insecure websites.
Consistency Across URL Variations: To ensure that consumers have a uniform and safe surfing experience, HTTPS must be implemented consistently across all versions of a website, regardless of whether it utilizes www or non-www URLs. This guarantees that users’ data is safeguarded and their faith in the website is maintained, irrespective of how they access it (via www or non-www URLs).
Protecting Against Security Risks in the Future: HTTPS encryption continues to be a vital line of defense against illegal access and data breaches even as cyber threats change. Businesses may show their dedication to safeguarding user privacy and security by proactively deploying HTTPS for both www and non-www versions of their websites. This allows them to keep ahead of possible security problems.

Mobile-Friendly Considerations

Websites must now be optimized for mobile surfing to provide a satisfactory user experience and stay competitive in search engine results since a considerable amount of internet traffic now comes from mobile devices.

Mobile-Friendly Design: Websites that are optimized for viewing and interacting on various mobile devices, such as tablets and smartphones, are said to be mobile-friendly. This calls for the use of responsive design strategies, which dynamically modify the website’s content and layout according to the device’s orientation and screen size. Websites that prioritize mobile-friendly design are better able to meet the needs and preferences of mobile users, which boosts user happiness and engagement.
URL Formatting for Mobile Devices: The decision to use a www or non-www URL can affect how mobile-friendly a website is, especially in terms of readability and URL length on small displays. Because shorter URLs are easier to type and more straightforward, non-www versions of these URLs are typically more user-friendly on mobile devices. Users may become frustrated and give up trying to write lengthier URLs with the www prefix if they have limited screen real estate and keyboard input.
Simplified Navigating: By making navigating easier and requiring less cognitive effort from users, non-www URLs enhance the mobile surfing experience. Shorter URLs make it simpler for consumers to read, remember, and share content, which makes it easier for mobile users to access certain website pages. This simplified navigation procedure promotes exploration and improves usability, which in turn increases engagement and conversions.
Enhanced Page Load Speed: Because shorter URLs take less time to send and process, they can also help mobile devices load pages more quickly. Users who have slower internet connections or limited bandwidth, who could encounter delays while viewing websites with lengthy URLs, would especially benefit from this. Websites may provide a faster, more responsive browsing experience, lower bounce rates, and increase user retention by optimizing URL layout for mobile devices.
SEO Considerations: Mobile friendliness is an important ranking criterion in search engine algorithms, especially for mobile search results, from an SEO standpoint. Mobile-friendly websites are given preference by search engines in their mobile search rankings, which benefits them by giving them more exposure and better placement in search results. Websites may increase their chances of ranking highly in mobile search, drawing more organic traffic, and optimizing their online presence by implementing non-www URLs and other mobile-friendly design techniques.

Wrapping Up

We can conclude by telling that shorter URLs of your website tend to perform well in the search engine, so keep in mind to implement this.