
Redirecting your website URL doesn't have to break the bank. In fact, there are several free options available.
A 301 permanent redirect is the most common type of redirect, and it's free to set up on many website platforms.
Redirecting your website URL can improve user experience by sending visitors to the correct page, even if the original URL is no longer valid.
For example, if you've updated your website and changed its URL, a 301 redirect will ensure that visitors who try to access the old URL are automatically taken to the new one.
Types of Redirects
There are several types of URL redirects, each with its specific purpose. Most of us know only the 301 and 302 redirects, but there are some more types.
A URL redirect points one URL to another, helping website owners direct visitors to the correct destination, even if they enter a different domain or URL.
301 redirects should be used for constant URL changes on your website, while 302 is suitable for temporary changes. The 301 redirect link may show up across the web more frequently than the 302 redirect.
Here are some common reasons to use a 301 redirect:
- The page’s URL address has been altered.
- You’ve deleted a page from your site and need to forward new visitors to your homepage.
- You’ve imported some content and the URL’s modified.
- You want to redirect to some other domain.
A 302 redirect directs website visitors to another URL as soon as they follow a link to an outdated page. This procedure shows search engines that the page was displaced for a time.
307 redirects mean HTTP status code messaging that the URL address a website user requests has been moved to a temporary district and will be back very soon.
Setting Up Redirects
Setting up redirects is a breeze, and I'm here to guide you through it. You can set up a URL redirect by creating a web forwarding address, which points one URL to another. This helps website owners direct visitors to the correct destination, even if they enter a different domain or URL.
To start, you'll need to click on the domain to enter its admin, then choose the "Web Forwarding" tab and select "Create" under "Add your first web forwarding address." From there, you can specify the subdomain you wish to forward from and the address you want to redirect to.
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You can also select which protocol to use (http, https, or both), and choose whether this is a permanent forward, a temporary forward, or a masked forward. A permanent forward should be used when you have permanently moved your site, or if you intend a forward to continue indefinitely.
A temporary forward should be used when you are temporarily forwarding your site, such as during maintenance. This signals to a search engine that this change should not be indexed because it is only temporary. A masked forward will hide the destination address from users, but be cautious when using this type of forwarding, as it is penalized by search engines.
Here are some common web forwards you may want to consider:
- www.example.com to example.com
- *.example.com to example.com (The * wildcard forwards anything typed in as a subdomain.)
For security and technical reasons, a wildcard forward cannot be used with HTTPS.
You can edit an existing web forward by following these steps:
- After logging in, select “Domain” from the left navigation menu.
- Click the name of the domain which has the web forwarding you want to edit.
- Click the “Web forwarding” tab.
- Find the existing forward in the list and click the 3 dot icon next to it. Click “Edit.”
- Make the desired changes to the forward using the form.
- Click “Save.”
Redirect Basics
A URL redirect is a method that points one URL to another, helping website owners direct visitors to the right destination, even if they enter a different domain or URL.
For example, if a user types googl.com, Google redirects them to google.com to ensure users reach the right site.
A URL redirect can be used to direct visitors to a new domain or a different page on the same site.
To check if a URL is redirecting, you can use a URL redirect checker, which analyzes URLs to determine if they are redirecting to another page and what type of redirect is being used.
A URL redirect checker is an invaluable tool for webmasters, SEO professionals, and digital marketers, providing integral insight into a site's structure and navigation.
Here are some common types of URL redirects:
By understanding how URL redirects work, you can make informed decisions about your site's structure and navigation, ensuring optimal site health and SEO practices.
Redirect Basics
A URL redirect is a way to point one URL to another, ensuring users reach the correct site, even if they enter a different domain or URL.
For example, if a user types googl.com, Google redirects them to google.com.
A URL redirect can be used to direct visitors to the correct destination, and it's a helpful method for website owners.
URL redirects can be used to fix typos or incorrect URLs that users may enter.
Manage Expired Content
Managing expired content is crucial for retaining visitors and potentially converting them into customers.
In e-commerce or content-heavy websites, products or pages may become outdated or irrelevant over time.
Using 301 redirects can help redirect website visitors to the most relevant and up-to-date content or product.
This can prevent displaying an error page and keep visitors engaged.
301 redirects can be used to manage expired products or pages, making it easier to maintain a user-friendly website.
301 vs 302 Redirects
A 301 redirect is a permanent redirect status code that transfers both search engine rankings and traffic from the old URL to the new one, ideal for domain authority 301 rebranding.
301 redirects are particularly useful when changing your website's structure or domain name, or deleting specific pages. You typically use the .htaccess file on your web server to set up a 301 redirect.
A 302 redirect is a temporary redirection method often used for purposes like heavy website maintenance or A/B testing, but it won't pass on SEO value to the target URL.
To choose between 301 and 302 redirects, consider the following: Use a 301 redirect for constant URL changes on your Wix site.Use a 302 redirect for temporary changes.
301 redirects show up across the web more frequently than 302 redirects, and can warn search engines that a page was shifted and its rank should be transferred to a new page.
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SEO and Redirects
301 redirects are the most common and SEO-friendly type, transferring the majority of link equity to the new URL. This is the most common type of redirect.
Proper implementation of redirects is paramount for website health and SEO. Improperly setup redirects can lead to issues such as redirect chains, loops, and broken links, negatively impacting your site’s user experience and search engine rankings.
301 redirects should be used for constant URL changes, while 302 redirects are suitable for temporary changes. A 301 link may show up across the web more frequently than the 302 redirect.
Here are the common reasons to use 301 redirects:
- The page’s URL address has been altered.
- You’ve deleted a page from your site and need to forward new visitors to your homepage.
- You’ve imported some content and the URL’s modified.
- You want to redirect to some other domain.
Duplicate content can harm your website’s SEO efforts. Properly implementing canonical 301 redirects can consolidate duplicate content under a single URL, preventing these issues and improving your site’s overall SEO health.
A 302 redirect directs website visitors to some other URL as soon as they follow a link to an outdated page according to URL to URL mapping. This procedure shows search engines that this particular page was displaced for a time.
Troubleshooting and Testing
Testing your domain redirect is crucial to ensure it's working properly. Enter your old web address into different browsers and devices to check if it takes you to the new URL.
If the domain redirect doesn't work, you can try using a redirect checker, such as Redirect Checker or Sitechecker, which are usually free. These tools can help you identify any issues with your redirect.
To troubleshoot issues, check the redirect type – whether it's permanent (301) or temporary (302). If you've used the wrong type, delete the old one and recreate it. Make sure to check the difference between the two types of redirects, as explained in the next section.
Clear your browser cache to ensure you're seeing the latest version of the website. You can also check your DNS records to see if they've fully propagated using a DNS Checker. If you've changed your DNS record, wait for it to propagate before testing your redirect.
If you've double-checked everything and the error persists, contact your hosting provider or domain registrar for assistance.
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Testing and Troubleshooting

Testing and troubleshooting your website's redirects can be a bit of a headache, but don't worry, I've got some tips to help you out.
First, make sure to test your domain redirect by entering your old web address into different browsers and devices, and checking if it takes you to the new URL. It's also a good idea to use a redirect checker, like Redirect Checker or Sitechecker, to ensure everything is working as it should.
If your domain redirect doesn't work, try clearing your browser cache to ensure you're seeing the website's latest version. Check your DNS records as well, and make sure they have fully propagated using a DNS Checker.
A common mistake is using the wrong redirect type, so double-check if you're using a permanent (301) or temporary (302) redirect. If you're unsure, delete the old redirect and create a new one.
Here are some common issues to check:
If you're still having trouble, don't hesitate to contact your hosting provider or domain registrar for assistance. They should be able to help you troubleshoot the issue.
Troubleshooting
Redirect loops are a common issue that can be frustrating to deal with. They typically appear when a URL redirects to another URL, which in turn redirects back to the original URL, causing a perpetual course of redirects.
To identify the source of the redirect loop, check where the URL is redirecting you to, and then look up that URL to see where it forwards to. This will help you find the exact point where the loop starts.
Redirect loops can be detected using Google Search Console, specifically in the Index Coverage report, where you can find "Redirect error". Keep in mind that your browser's cache can sometimes lead to false positives, so it's essential to clear your cache before troubleshooting.
Clearing your browser cache is crucial, as it can cache old redirects, making it harder to identify the issue. Regularly clearing your cache can help you avoid false positives and ensure you're working with the most up-to-date information.
Once you've identified the source of the redirect loop, you can start repairing it and stopping the loop. After the loop is removed, clear your browser cache again to ensure the changes take effect.
Sources
- https://blog.rebrandly.com/link-management/url-redirects/
- https://www.hostinger.com/tutorials/how-to-redirect-a-domain
- https://docs.gandi.net/en/domain_names/common_operations/web_forwarding.html
- https://elfsight.com/tutorials/how-to-create-and-use-redirects-on-wix/
- https://seomator.com/url-redirect-checker
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