Sitelinks are additional links that appear under your main search result, providing shortcuts to important pages. Earn them through clear site structure, internal linking, and providing valuable, well-organized content.
Imagine seeing a search engine results page (SERP) for your favorite clothing store, and underneath the main link, there are additional links guiding you directly to the men’s section, new arrivals, or sale pages. These are what we call sitelinks, and they can dramatically increase your website’s visibility and credibility in search results. But how do you get these helpful shortcuts to appear for your site? In this article, we’ll explore exactly that—what sitelinks are, how they work across various CMS platforms, and how different industries can harness their power to attract more visitors.
What Are Sitelinks?
Sitelinks are additional links displayed beneath your website’s main search result on Google. They serve as quick access points to your most important pages—think About Us, Contact, or main product categories. These links are not manually added or controlled; instead, Google automatically determines which pages to display as sitelinks based on your site’s structure, content, and overall navigation. When done right, sitelinks can make your website look bigger, more trustworthy, and easier for users to navigate, leading to more clicks and a better user experience.
Sitelinks Across Different CMS Platforms
Getting sitelinks isn’t about a special feature or plugin; it’s about optimizing your site so that search engines understand your content well. Let’s see how this applies to popular CMS platforms.
WordPress
If you’re building a site on WordPress, the key to earning sitelinks is creating a clear, logical site structure. Use a well-organized menu system and internal linking to highlight your main pages. Customizing your permalinks, using SEO plugins like Yoast, and ensuring your homepage links to key sections all help Google understand which pages are most important. For example, an online clothing store using WordPress might make sure that their ‘Best Sellers’ and ‘New Arrivals’ are linked prominently from the homepage.
Shopify
Shopify is popular for e-commerce stores. Product pages and collections need to be clear and descriptive. Use specific, keyword-rich product names and detailed descriptions to help Google discern what each page is about. Linking core collections like ‘Men’s Shoes’ or ‘Summer Sale’ internally makes it easier for Google to show relevant sitelinks for those categories. For instance, a Shopify store selling skincare products might want sitelinks to ‘Best Sellers,’ ‘New Arrivals,’ and ‘Customer Support.’
Wix
Wix has improved its SEO offerings considerably. Focus on creating a comprehensive sitemap, using clear headings, and logical page hierarchy. Proper use of header tags (H1, H2, H3) signals to Google which pages and sections are most important. For example, a local bakery on Wix can ensure their ‘Order Online’ and ‘Locations,’ pages are easily accessible and well-linked.
Webflow
Webflow offers full control over site structure. For developers and designers, this means building a clean, scalable hierarchy from the start. Building well-organized navigation and logical page relationships helps Google recognize which pages are vital. A Webflow-based portfolio website can highlight featured projects and about pages to encourage sitelink display.
Custom CMS
With a custom-built website, developers have the maximum control. This allows building an exact site architecture, with strong internal linking and clear hierarchies. Proper schema markup, clean URL structures, and comprehensive navigation help Google understand what pages to suggest as sitelinks. For example, a tech SaaS company with a custom CMS might create pages for ‘Features,’ ‘Pricing,’ ‘Resources,’ and ‘Support,’ ensuring these are linked clearly across the site.
Sitelinks in Various Industries
Different industries naturally have different opportunities to earn specific sitelinks by focusing on their core pages.
E-commerce
For online stores, sitelinks to best-selling products, main categories, or promotional pages are ideal. Improving product pages with rich descriptions, reviews, and internal links helps Google identify these pages as valuable. A fashion retailer might want sitelinks for ‘New Arrivals,’ ‘Men’s Shoes,’ and ‘Clearance.’
Local Businesses
For local services—think restaurants, salons, or plumbers—sitelinks for ‘Contact Us,’ ‘Services,’ ‘Opening Hours,’ and ‘Location’ pages are invaluable. Making sure these pages are simple to find, well-organized, and filled with accurate info ensures they’re prime candidates for sitelinks. For example, a local cafe might want sitelinks to ‘Menu,’ ‘Reservations,’ and ‘Find Us on Map.’
SaaS (Software as a Service)
SaaS companies focus on pages like ‘Pricing,’ ‘Features,’ ‘Free Trial,’ and ‘Demo.’ These pages should be optimized to load quickly, be clear, and include calls to action. Well-structured internal links to these critical pages can increase the chance that Google displays sitelinks to boost user trust and conversions.
Blogs
For content-driven sites, the most popular articles or main content hubs are prime for sitelinks. For instance, a travel blog might get sitelinks for ‘Top Destinations,’ ‘Travel Tips,’ or specific categories like ‘Adventure Travel.’ Internal linking among related articles helps Google recognize these pages as central points.
Unlocking Sitelinks Effectively
While you can’t directly request sitelinks, you can influence their appearance through a clear, logical site structure, internal linking, and a sitemap submitted to Google Search Console. Keep your most critical pages accessible from your homepage and ensure consistent navigation. Over time, as Google recognizes your well-organized site, sitelinks will organically appear, adding that extra layer of professionalism and clickability to your search results. Harnessing sitelinks is a smart SEO move for any website—be it for WordPress SEO, new websites, or established brands—improving visibility and user experience with minimal effort.
FAQ
What are sitelinks and how do I get them?
Sitelinks are those extra links that appear under your website’s main search result. You do not ask for them directly. Instead, Google gives them to you when your website is well-structured, easy to navigate, and has a clear hierarchy of pages.
Can I choose which pages appear as sitelinks?
No, you cannot manually choose or add sitelinks. Google’s algorithm decides which pages to show. You can, however, suggest which pages are most important through your site structure, internal linking, and clear navigation.
Do sitelinks help my SEO?
Yes, sitelinks are a huge plus for SEO. They make your search result look bigger and more professional, which can increase the number of people who click on it. They also help visitors find the most useful parts of your site quickly, which is a good user experience signal to Google.
Why don’t I have sitelinks for my website?
It can take time for Google to recognize your site and give you sitelinks. It usually means your site might be new, or your site structure is not yet clear enough. Keep working on improving your website’s navigation, and make sure your most important pages are easy to find and link to.
