Pagination splits lengthy content across pages (page 1, page 2…). Implement rel=”next”/”prev” historically or consider consolidating where possible for better UX and crawl efficiency.
Ever get lost on a website with a million products or blog posts all on one page? It is overwhelming! That is where pagination comes in to save the day. I am going to explain exactly what is pagination and why it is a must-have for any good website. I will also give you simple, actionable tips on how to use it right, no matter what kind of website you have. This will make your site better for both your visitors and for Google.
What is Pagination?
Pagination is the practice of splitting a large list of content into smaller, more manageable pages. Think about the “Page 1,” “Page 2,” “Next” buttons at the bottom of a Google search result page or a big online store. I use it to make my website easier for people to browse. It prevents a single page from becoming too long and slow to load.
It is a core part of good user experience. When a website has hundreds of products or articles, pagination helps organize them. It gives visitors a clear path to follow as they explore my content. It’s a simple idea, but it is one of the most important tools for a smooth website.
The Goal of Pagination
My main goal with pagination is to make my website easy to use. I want my visitors to find what they are looking for without getting frustrated by a long page that never seems to end. When I do pagination right, it helps people stay on my site longer and click on more pages. This tells Google that my site is a good one, which can help my SEO.
Pagination on Different CMS Platforms
The way I set up pagination depends on the CMS I am using. Some platforms handle it automatically, which is a big help. Others require me to set it up myself. I always check the default settings first to see what is already there.
WordPress
WordPress has pagination built-in for blog post lists and categories. I can also use themes and plugins to create pagination for other parts of my site. I make sure my pagination links are clear and easy to see. I also ensure that my theme is not adding extra code that might slow down my paginated pages.
Shopify & Wix
Shopify and Wix are great because they handle pagination automatically for me on my product collection pages. I do not have to do much work. The platforms are built with this in mind to handle large product catalogs. I just focus on organizing my products into logical categories to make it easy for customers to browse.
Webflow & Custom CMS
With a custom CMS or Webflow, I have complete control over pagination. This means I can design a system that works perfectly for my website. I can choose the number of items per page and how the links look. I make sure my URL structure is clear and simple for both users and search engines to follow.
Pagination in Different Industries
I find that pagination is more critical for some types of websites than others. I use it most on sites that have a lot of content, and I tailor my strategy to the specific needs of my industry.
Ecommerce
In ecommerce, pagination is essential. I use it on every product category page. It would be impossible to put all my products on one page. Pagination allows customers to browse through hundreds of items easily. It makes the shopping experience feel organized and simple.
Local Businesses
For a local business, pagination might only be needed for my blog or a large gallery of my past work. I do not need it on a simple service page or contact page. If my blog has a lot of articles, I use pagination to make it easy for my visitors to find older posts and read more content.
SaaS & Blogs
If I am running a blog or a SaaS knowledge base with many articles, I use pagination to organize my content. It helps my readers find what they need. I also use a search feature so my visitors can quickly find the exact article they are looking for, without clicking through many pages.
FAQ
Q1: Is pagination bad for SEO?
A: No, it is not! Pagination is a very normal part of the web. The key is to do it correctly. When done right, it improves the user experience and helps Google understand my website’s structure better. It is a good thing for both people and search engines.
Q2: How many items should I put on a paginated page?
A: It depends on my content. For products, I might use 20 to 50 items per page. For blog posts, it might be 10. The goal is to find a number that loads quickly and is easy for my users to browse without a lot of scrolling. I always test it on mobile to make sure it looks good there, too.
Q3: How is pagination different from infinite scrolling?
A: Infinite scrolling loads more content as the user scrolls down, without needing to click. It is a single, long page. Pagination splits the content into separate pages with clear links. I find that pagination is generally better for SEO because it gives each page a unique URL that Google can index.
