Lately I’ve been presented with a bunch of questions about permalink structures for WordPress and decided to whip up a quick explanation. In particular, I’d like to touch permalinks and why they should not include category names.

Let me start by saying that every blog changes at some point in time. This can be due to a company expanding, changing focus, new products/services being offered, etc. It’s the nature of the beast — blogs are bound to progress and, therefore, change.

When consulting clients on blog development in WordPress, I suggest creating the site in the most scalable, easily updatable manner. Choose a permalink structure that includes the date and post name, but skips the category. You want the ability to restructure categories without breaking live links.

If you’re intending to launch a new blog, make sure to plan 1, 2 and even 3 years ahead. Having a clear, concise focus will lead to success.

Aaron Schoenberger
The Brainchild Group