As a website owner, there will be times when you need to migrate your website to a new domain, URL structure, or platform. When you do, one of the most important things you need to consider is how you can keep your website’s traffic after the migration. This is where redirects come in. In this article, we’ll discuss what redirects are, how they work, and why they are important for your website’s traffic after a migration.
Understanding Redirects
A redirect is a way to send both users and search engines from one URL to another. When a user clicks on a link or enters a URL in their browser, the server responds with an HTTP status code, which determines whether the user’s request is successful or not. There are several types of redirects, but the most common ones are 301 redirects and 302 redirects.
301 Redirects
A 301 redirect is a permanent redirect that indicates that the old URL has been permanently moved to a new location. It is the most commonly used redirect type for website migrations. When a user or search engine bot accesses the old URL, they are automatically redirected to the new URL.
302 Redirects
A 302 redirect, on the other hand, is a temporary redirect that indicates that the old URL has been temporarily moved to a new location. It is used when you want to redirect traffic to a new URL temporarily, and you plan to revert to the old URL in the future.
Why Redirects are Important After Website Migration
When you migrate your website to a new domain, URL structure, or platform, you risk losing your website’s traffic if you don’t set up proper redirects. This is because search engines have already indexed your old URLs, and users may have bookmarked them or linked to them from their websites. If you don’t set up redirects, users and search engines will encounter a 404 error page, which can be frustrating and negatively impact your website’s ranking.
How to Implement Redirects
Implementing redirects can be a daunting task, especially if you have a large website with thousands of pages. Here are some tips to help you implement redirects effectively:
1. Identify the URLs that need to be redirected
Before you start implementing redirects, you need to identify the URLs that need to be redirected. This includes all the old URLs that you want to redirect to the new URLs.
2. Set up a redirect mapping
Once you’ve identified the URLs that need to be redirected, you need to set up a redirect mapping. This is a spreadsheet that lists all the old URLs and their corresponding new URLs.
3. Implement the redirects
After you’ve created the redirect mapping, you need to implement the redirects. This can be done using your website’s .htaccess file, a plugin, or through your web hosting provider’s control panel.
Best Practices for Redirects
Here are some best practices to keep in mind when implementing redirects:
1. Use 301 redirects for permanent URL changes
If you are making permanent URL changes, use 301 redirects to indicate that the old URL has been permanently moved to a new location.
2. Keep the redirect chains short
Avoid creating redirect chains that are too long. A redirect chain occurs when a URL is redirected to another URL, which is then redirected to another URL, and so on. This can slow down your website’s loading time and negatively impact your website’s ranking.
3. Test the redirects
After you’ve implemented the redirects, you need to test them to ensure that they are working correctly. Use a tool like Screaming Frog or Google Search Console to check for any errors.
Conclusion
In conclusion, redirects are an essential part of website migration. They help ensure that your website’s traffic and search engine rankings are maintained after the migration. By understanding the different types of redirects and implementing them correctly, you can minimize the impact of the migration on your website’s traffic and search engine rankings. Remember to keep in mind the best practices for redirects, such as using 301 redirects for permanent URL changes and keeping redirect chains short.
If you’re still unsure about how to implement redirects for your website migration, here are some frequently asked questions that may help:
FAQs
- What is the difference between a 301 and a 302 redirect?
A 301 redirect is a permanent redirect that indicates that the old URL has been permanently moved to a new location. A 302 redirect, on the other hand, is a temporary redirect that indicates that the old URL has been temporarily moved to a new location.
- How do I identify the URLs that need to be redirected?
You can use a website crawler tool like Screaming Frog to crawl your website and identify all the old URLs that need to be redirected.
- Can I use a plugin to implement redirects on my website?
Yes, there are many plugins available for popular website platforms like WordPress that can help you implement redirects easily.
- How long should I keep the redirects in place?
You should keep the redirects in place for as long as possible to ensure that search engines and users can access your new URLs.
- What should I do if I encounter errors after implementing redirects?
If you encounter errors after implementing redirects, use a tool like Screaming Frog or Google Search Console to identify the errors and fix them as soon as possible.
Interested in working with Qodeyard? Drop us a line at makemybrand@qodeyard.com.
We are a Creative Digital Agency based in Delhi, specialising in Creative Web Design, Web Development, and Digital Marketing.
We are also WordPress Content Management System experts.
