How to format url correctly?

Question

Search Engine Optimization

Good afternoon || evening.

The situation is this - there is a two-level main menu. Some first level items have dropdowns with a second level menu. Accordingly, there are sections and subsections.
sample.ru/service/work1
sample.ru/service/work2

service main menu item, work1/2 submenu items.

In my case, the service page is essentially not needed, and clicking on it simply does not go. It serves only as a conditional heading for sub-items. But you can follow a direct link and it is in the site map. What is the best way to deal with her? 404 will it be right from the point of view of SEO to hang on it?

And one more thing, how can I remove the service section from the url using Bitrix? Those. to get not
sample.ru/service/work1
namely
sample.ru/work1

The menu is not dynamic, so the question of the cnc is not worth it, as I understand it.

Answer 1

1. IMHO, it's better not to hang up a 404, but a 301 redirect to the first page of the section. Those. /service >> /service/work1
2. If you want to completely remove the service section from the url, you need to write a rule in urlrewrite.php at the root of the project.