Redirect to relevant content. Send users to a page that matches the original URL’s content and intent. Avoid redirecting them to your home page .
Maintain a consistent HTTP state. Make sure the original URL and the target URL use the same protocol (HTTP or HTTPS).
Avoid redirect chains. Keep redirects simple and direct. Multiple redirects in a row (chains) slow down loading times and confuse users.
SEO Considerations
Update internal links. If your website has internal links pointing to the old URLs, update them to point to the new redirected locations.
Monitor bad links. UseThe website audit tool identifies any bad links caused by redirects and fixes them promptly.
Submit sitemap updates. After making major URL changes and redirects, inform search engines by submitting an updated sitemap through your webmaster tools.
Other Tips
Use descriptive redirects. Where possible, implement clear new zealand whatsapp number data 5 million that provide search engines with context as to why you’re redirecting.
Plan and document. Before implementing redirects, plan your strategy and document both the old and new URLs for future reference.
Test thoroughly. Always test your redirects on a variety of browsers and devices to ensure they work properly on every platform.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Strikingly's "Page Not Found" page
Strikingly's "Page Not Found" page
Here are some common mistakes to avoid when setting up 301 redirects:
Redirect all content to the home page . Don’t send every redirect to the home page. This loses the value of the original content and confuses search engines. Aim for relevant redirects that send users to similar pages on your site.
Redirect chains and loops. A redirect chain forms when you need to redirect multiple times to reach the final destination. A redirect loop is when a URL ends up redirecting back to itself, forming an infinite loop. Both of these situations can frustrate users and hurt SEO. Make sure each redirect goes directly to the final destination URL.
Redirecting to a non-existent page. Do not redirect to a deleted or non-existent page. This will cause users to experience frustration with 404 errors.
Use 302 redirects instead of 301. Although they may look similar, a 302 redirect indicates a temporary move, while a 301 indicates a permanent move. For SEO purposes, use a 301 redirect for permanent URL changes.
Forget about slash and case sensitivity. URLs can be sensitive to slashes (e.g., /about vs. /about/) and case (e.g., /Blog vs. /blog). Make sure your redirects account for these variations to avoid unexpected behavior.
Not testing your redirects. After setting up your redirects, always test them thoroughly from a user's perspective. Use a tool or service to verify that they work as expected and don't cause unexpected results.
