The URL is often underused in web apps
The URL is often underused in web apps.
I use the URL for state when the user may want to...
✅ Share the state
✅ Bookmark the page and maintain the state
✅ Share the current URL along with the current state
✅ Move through a multi-step process and maintain state
Good URL state examples:
- Current record (like the product id)
- Active filter, search, sort (so the user can share or bookmark a search result)
I avoid using the URL for state when...
🚫 It's sensitive info
🚫 I don't want the user to access an intermediate step directly