Are you looking for an easy way to create 301 redirects in WordPress?
You’ve come to the right place!
This guide will show you how to set up 301 redirects in WordPress using simple steps and different methods.
We’ll also explain what 301 redirects are and why they are important for SEO.
So whether you want to use a plugin or edit the .htaccess file manually, we have all the information you need so that your website runs smoothly and efficiently.
Let’s get started!
301 redirects are like a detour signs for websites.
They tell visitors if they have come to the wrong page or if the page has moved somewhere else.
This is important because it helps people find what they are looking for and ensures that search engines don’t think the website has two different pages with the same content.
A 301 error code is an HTTP status code indicating that a resource has moved permanently to a new location. It’s one of the most necessary HTTP response codes and is the default redirect status in many server configurations. When a user or search engine encounters a 301, they are redirected to the new URL provided. It also informs search engines of the new location, which helps with indexing and ranking.
The 302 error code is an HTTP status code that temporarily moves a resource to a new location. This is used when the original page or resource does not need to be redirected permanently and can help keep the original page’s SEO rankings.
The HyperText Transfer Protocol (HTTP) 303 See Other response code means that instead of linking to the resource that was asked for, a redirect is generated, which goes to another page. This could be used for confirmation pages or representation of real-world objects.
You do not need to send the same request again – HTTP 304 Not Modified is a code that tells the client’s browser to get already cached resources. This saves time and energy as users can quickly access data stored in memory, improving their experience.
The 307: Temporarily Redirect status code is an HTTP response code that indicates a resource has been moved temporarily to a new location. This type of redirect can be used when the original page or resource does not need to be redirected permanently but for a short period of time.
A 308: Permanent Redirect is an HTTP response status code informing browsers and search engines that a web page has been moved to another URL. This type of redirect should be used when the original page’s content will not change, as it will ensure that any links pointing to the old URL are updated with the new one.
But this post will focus specifically on creating 301 redirects in WordPress.
Using a plugin to create 301 redirects in WordPress is an excellent option for beginners as it simplifies the process significantly. This is because the plugin handles all of the technical stuff, and you only need to enter the URL that needs to be redirected and where it should point to.
This article will use 301 Redirects – Easy Redirect Manager by WebFactory LTD.
This plugin is easy to use and maintain but also dependable.
Editing the .htaccess file manually through WordPress is not for the faint of heart. It requires a good understanding of server configuration and a good knowledge of the file structure. However, if you have some knowledge or experience with server administration tasks, it can be an effective way to create 301 redirects in WordPress.
For those comfortable with coding, using code snippets in the functions.php file is another way to create 301 redirects in WordPress. This method requires you to add a few lines of code directly into your theme’s functions.php file, which can be done by accessing it through the Appearance > Editor section of your WordPress dashboard. While this option may only be suitable for some due to its complexity, it is an excellent choice if you have experience coding and want more control over how your 301 redirects are set up.
Installing and activating the 301 Redirects: Easy Redirect Manager plugin is straightforward.
First, go to your WordPress dashboard and click on Plugins in the left-hand navigation menu. On the plugins page, use the Search box to type in “301 Redirects – Easy Redirect Manager” or use this link to download it manually and upload it to your plugins dashboard.
Once you have found it, click the “Install Now” button to begin the installation process.
Once installed, you need to activate the plugin. To do so, click on Plugins again and then look for the 301 Redirects – Easy Redirect Manager plugin in your list of installed plugins.
Once the 301 Redirects – Easy Redirect Manager plugin is installed and activated, you can create a new redirect in a few easy steps.
First, go to Settings > 301 Redirects from your WordPress dashboard. You will see a tab labeled “Redirect Rules” on this page. Within the tab view are two input fields marked “Redirect From” and “Redirect to.”
In the “Redirect To” tab, click on the drop-down menu to the left of the input field. Here you can choose which page, post, and landing page you want to create the 301 Redirect for.
After you have entered both pieces of information, click on “Save” to save your changes. If everything is correct, a success message will appear.
Once you’ve created your redirect, it will be listed on the Redirect Rules tab. From here, you can edit, delete, or disable your redirects as needed.
Managing existing 301 redirects in WordPress can be done quickly and easily using the 301 Redirects – Easy Redirect Manager plugin. With this plugin, you can view, edit, or delete any existing redirect rules with just a few clicks.
You can also add new rules to create additional redirects as needed. In addition, this plugin makes it easy to keep track of all your redirection rules and ensure they are up-to-date.
Accessing the .htaccess file through Cpanel is a great way to create 301 redirects in WordPress. To do so, you will first need to log into your hosting account and access the cPanel. Then, look for the “Files” section and click on the “File Manager” option.
Once inside your file manager, look for the “.htaccess” file. This will be located in the public_html directory within your WordPress website and should be listed as a hidden file.
To view it, you will need to click on the “Settings” button at the top right corner of your file manager and make sure that “Show Hidden Files (dotfiles)” is selected.
After you get access to the file, enter the following code:
<IfModule mod_rewrite.c>
RewriteEngine On
RedirectMatch 301 /youroldpage/ /yournewpage/
or
RedirectMatch 301 /your-old-page/ /your-new-page/
</IfModule>
Make sure you fill in your page or post name (slug) and not the entire URL.
Once you have added the redirect code to your file, it is critical to test the redirects to ensure they are working correctly. First, open your web browser, and type in the old URL. The old URL will automatically redirect you to the new URL if everything is entered right.
Accessing the functions.php file through cPanel is the same as accessing the .htaccess file. The difference is that you have to dig deeper to find the file functions.php.
Here is the path to find the functions.php file.
yourwebsite.com folder > find wp-content folder > themes folder > find your current theme folder > scroll till you see functions.php file.
When you open the Functions.php file, you will see the following code.
if($_SERVER['REQUEST_URI'] == "/old-page-url/") {
wp_redirect('https://yourwebsite.com/new-page', 301 );
exit;
}
After you have integrated the redirect code into your file, it is vital to test if the redirects are functioning correctly. To do this, open a web browser and input the previous URL. If everything is done correctly, you will automatically revert to the new URL without any issues.
You should better understand how to create 301 redirects in WordPress by now. However, whether you edit the .htaccess file or use a plugin like Redirection – Easy Redirect Manager, you must have an efficient plan for managing your website’s redirects.
If this process seems overwhelming and time-consuming, let us help! Our team is experienced in setting up SEO-friendly 301 redirects so that your site remains optimized and ranks high on search engines.
Sign up for our newsletter today to learn more about improving SEO, which can launch your website to the top.
This article explains local SEO’s importance for small New Mexico businesses. It covers key elements of a solid local SEO strategy, such as on-page optimization, mobile optimization, setting goals, measuring and adjusting strategies, and more.
Insights How to Increase Your Search Rankings with a Comprehensive Guide to Keyword Research for SEO is integral to any successful strategy. It involves understanding the target audience and their language, generating seed lists of keywords, and using keyword research tools to evaluate search volume and competition. Additionally, it requires creating a keyword plan to allocate keywords to different stages of the customer journey, tracking keyword performance, and evaluating success to make adjustments as needed.
Ready to take your business to the next level?
Get in touch for a complimentary review and consultation