Maintaining & retaining permalinks are indispensable for optimal SEO performance and related ensuing tasks management. Yet, there might be scenarios where one might need to change either the default WordPress (which is typically the case) or existing permalink structures.
How To Change Permalinks in WordPress
Note that you do not require any plugins to adjust your permalink structures. This feature is in-built into WordPress.
In any case, to tweak the permalinks, follow the steps below:
Step 1: Navigate to the “Permalinks” Settings Window
Yes, literally, there is a WordPress Setting with the exact name. When you’re logged into WordPress, from the left Panel, find settings, and inside of that, look for “permalinks.”
Step 2: Choose the Type of Permalink Structure You Want
WordPress will traditionally provide you with 6 so-called permalink structures/choices, with custom selection reserved at the last spot.
From the given options, pick the one you’d like to go with.
Additionally, WP allows for 2 extra possibilities for even more customization with respect to the category and tag URLs.
Once you’ve made modifications to your satisfaction, hit the save changes button shown in the screenshot above.
Repercussions of Changing Permalinks
Ask any consultant or SEO professional about changing your permalinks, and you’ll almost always get a look of refusal.
Depending on the complexity of the website, URLs, and related logics, altering existing permalinks for a site can bring in a flurry of difficulties. The more big (in the sense of traffic, and or the number of URLs and subdirectories and subdomains, and whatnot), the more intricate the situation will be.
This post is not aimed to cover what could or would happen if one changes their permalinks, but I’d be remiss if I do not mention that it could have a severe negative impact on your organic performance.
That’s not to say to never ever change permalinks, but if the circumstances are dire enough, know that it comes with its potential downfalls.
In my opinion, the best time to change permalinks is when you are a new website or a new website that is experimenting with things. However, after you’ve finalized what you’re going to go with, and you’ve invested time & money into your site for SEO, traffic, reputation, social presence, etc., think twice about redoing your permalinks.
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In Closing
Revamping the permalink structures isn’t rocket science. The difficulty isn’t in that; but, rather, what will happen to your site performance if you do so. Moreover, other considerations such as (if applicable to you) how much Dev & Networking resources one would need to run the new permalink-ed site to the most optimal SEO standards would also need to be taken into account.