How To Set Up Website Redirects (Expert Guide)

KeyTakeaway

• A website redirect is a technique for automatically forwarding visitors (and search engines) who try to reach one web address to a completely different one.
• Types of URL redirects include 301 (permanent), 302 (temporary), 303 (see other), 307 (temporary), and 308 (permanent).
• To set up website redirects, access the “Redirects” option within your hosting control panel (cPanel or HostGator equivalent) or hire website development services.

What is a Website Redirect?

A website redirect is a technique that automatically sends a user (and search engines) from one URL (web address) to a different one.  This is often used when a website changes structure, deletes pages, or switches domains. Redirects ensure that users trying to reach an old address seamlessly arrive at the correct, updated location. 

There are various types of redirects, the most common being a “301 redirect” which indicates a permanent address change and helps preserve website rankings in search engines.

A website redirects users to a different URL.

Here are the reasons why you might want to redirect website:

• Rebranding: You’ve changed your company name or updated your domain.
• Merging websites: You want to combine multiple websites into one central location.
• Outdated domains: You have an old domain that you want to point to your primary website.
• Typos or misspellings: Redirecting common variations to your main domain to capture traffic.

Learn more: Internal Links: What It Is & Best Practices

Types of URL Redirects

1. 301 (Moved Permanently): 

This is the most critical redirect type for SEO. It signals to search engines that a page has been permanently moved to a new URL. 301 redirects pass most of the original page’s ranking power (“link juice”) to the new location.

Use Cases:

• Change a website’s domain name
• Consolidate content to a single URL
• Correct URL errors for better user experience

Example of 301 redirects.

2. 302 (Found / Moved Temporarily): 

This redirect tells search engines that a page has temporarily moved. It doesn’t pass as much link equity as a 301,  and search engines will likely keep the old URL indexed.

Use Cases:

• Website maintenance
• A/B testing different page versions
• Regional redirects (temporarily redirecting based on a user’s location)

Use cases of 302.

Learn more: What Is Technical SEO? A Deep Dive Into SEO Factors

3. 307 (Temporary Redirect):  

A newer redirect code, very similar to a 302. The key difference is that a 307 explicitly specifies that the redirect is temporary and the request method (GET, POST, etc.) should not be changed.

Use Cases: Same as 302

Example of 307 redirects.

4. 308 (Permanent Redirect):  

Similar to the 301 redirect, but also guarantees that the request method won’t be changed.

Use Cases: Same as 301

Example of 308 redirects.

5. Meta Refresh: 

Not a true server-side redirect. It’s a piece of HTML code on the page that tells the browser to go to another URL after a specified time delay. Meta refreshes are not ideal for SEO and can sometimes be used for malicious purposes.

Example of Meta Refresh.

How To Set Up Website Redirects

Set up a Redirect in cPanel

To configure redirects in your cPanel account, follow these steps:

1. Sign in to your cPanel account and navigate to the Domains section.
2. Locate the Redirects icon and click on it.
3. From the dropdown menu labeled Type, choose between Permanent (301) or Temporary (302) redirection as per your requirement.
4. In the subsequent dropdown menu, select the domain for which you wish to set up the redirect. Opt for All Public Domains if you intend for the redirection to apply to all your domains, or choose the specific one from the list.
5. Next, input the specific page you want to redirect from in the first box. Only include the last part of the URL, as the root domain name is already provided in the dropdown menu.
6. In the second box, specify the URL to which you want the redirection to point.

Simply follow these steps to configure your desired redirects during website management effectively.

Redirecting URLs in cPanel for efficient website management.

Set up a Redirect in Gator

Setting up a website redirect with Gator Website Builder is simple. Here’s how to do it:

1. In Gator Website Builder, click “Edit Site” for the website you want to manage. Then, find the “Manage” option on the left-side menu, followed by “Redirects”.
2. Click the “Add Rule” button.
3. In the left box, enter the original page URL (the one you want to redirect from). Then, choose your desired redirect type from the dropdown menu.
4. Depending on the redirect type, either select the target page from a dropdown menu (the page you want visitors to land on) or manually type in the full URL.
5. Click “OK” to save your redirect.

Setting up a website redirect with Gator Website Builder is easy.

Set up a Redirect in WordPress

Here’s a simple way to set up redirects in WordPress using a plugin:

• If you’re new to plugins, go to the “Plugins” section in your WordPress dashboard and click “Add New”. Search for “Redirection”, click “Install Now”, and then “Activate”.
• Find “Redirection” in your “Installed Plugins” list, click “Settings”, and follow the setup instructions.
• Go to “Tools” and find “Redirection”. Click “Redirects” at the top of the screen.  Fill in the old URL and the new destination URL.
• Click the “Add Redirect” button.

Simply use plugins like ‘Redirection’ for seamless redirection.

How to Redirect a Website to Another Domain?

Step 1: Choose the Right Redirect Type

Here are some key considerations to help you choose the appropriate redirect type:

• Permanence: Is the website or page moving permanently? If so, a 301 redirect is best. If it’s a short-term situation, a 302 redirect is more appropriate.
• Search Engine Optimization (SEO): If you’re concerned about preserving your search engine rankings long-term, a 301 redirect is necessary. A 302 might cause some temporary fluctuations in your rankings.
• User Experience: Consider how the redirect will impact your visitors. Do you need them to go to the new site (301) immediately, or are you redirecting them briefly with plans to return to the original domain (302)?

*Tips:

• For most long-term website moves, the 301 redirect is the preferred option.
• Use a 302 redirect only when a temporary change is intended.

Step 2: Backup Your Website

While generally straightforward, redirects can sometimes misbehave due to typos or incorrect settings. A backup provides a safety net if you need to restore your website to its original state.

Before proceeding with the redirect, ensure you can successfully restore your backup. Keep backups separate from your live website (e.g., your local computer, external hard drive, or a cloud storage service).

The best backup method depends on your website’s hosting environment and the content management system (CMS). Look at this picture and follow the steps below:

Follow these steps to back up your website.

1. Hosting Provider Backups

Many hosting providers offer built-in backup solutions. Check your hosting control panel for options like “Backup,” “Restore,” or similar terms.

These backups can be either manual (you initiate them) or automatic (scheduled by your host). Be sure to understand your provider’s backups’ frequency and retention period.

2. CMS-Specific Plugins

Popular CMS platforms (like WordPress, Joomla, Drupal) usually have dedicated backup plugins, often with free options. Some examples:

• WordPress: UpdraftPlus, BackWPUp, Duplicator
• Joomla: Akeeba Backup
• Drupal: Backup and Migrate

Install the plugin of your choice and follow its instructions to create a full backup of your website’s files and database.

3. Manual Backup

• Files: Use an FTP client (like FileZilla) to connect to your website’s server and download the entire website directory, including all files and folders.
• Database: Most hosting providers offer database management tools like phpMyAdmin. Use these to export a full copy of your website’s database.

Step 3: Access Your Hosting Control Panel

While some domain registrars offer redirection features, your hosting control panel usually provides more flexibility and control for setting up domain redirects. Here are some common scenarios where you  access your control panel:

• Using a .htaccess file (Apache servers): Creating complex redirect rules or redirects involving specific folders often requires editing your .htaccess file in your site’s root directory.
• Setting up redirects through the control panel interface: If your hosting provider has a dedicated ‘Redirects’ section in the control panel, this is the easiest way to manage your domain redirects.
• Custom redirect needs: You might need to access the control panel when other redirection methods don’t suit you.

The tutorial on how to access your hosting control panel

Provider’s Website:

• Go to your web hosting provider’s website (e.g., Bluehost, HostGator, SiteGround, etc.)
• Locate the login or client area section.

Hosting Control Panel of Hostinger.

Login Credentials:

• Enter your username and password. You should have received these when you originally signed up for hosting.
• Contact your hosting provider’s support for assistance if you don’t have your login details.

Locate Control Panel:

• After logging in, look for a section named “cPanel”, “Plesk,” or a proprietary control panel name specific to your host.

If you can’t find your control panel:

• Check your welcome emails: Sometimes, the initial welcome email from your hosting provider will contain direct links and login credentials for your control panel.
• Search Help/Knowledge Base: Your hosting provider likely has a knowledge base or help section. Search for “access control panel” or “cPanel login” with your provider’s name.
• Contact support: Your hosting provider’s support team should be able to guide you to the correct control panel login area.

Step 4: Locate the Redirect Option

Where you’ll find the redirect settings depends on your web hosting provider or domain registrar:

• cPanel: Look for the “Redirects” section within your control panel’s “Domains” area.
• Domain Registrars (GoDaddy, Namecheap, etc.): Search for sections labeled “Domain Management,” “DNS,” or “Forwarding.”
• Best Website Builders (WordPress, Wix, Squarespace): These platforms often have redirect options within their website/domain settings. Sometimes plugins facilitate advanced redirects.

Domain Management of NameCheap.

 Step 5: Choose the Old and New Domains

This is where you designate the original domain and where you want to send visitors:

• Old Domain: This is the domain you want to redirect away from. It’s the address people might be typing in, but that you no longer want to use.
• New Domain: This is your target destination. Ensure it’s a live, active website where you want users automatically sent.

Carefully check the spelling of both domains, as errors will lead visitors to nowhere.

Step 6: Set the Redirect Type

Within your website’s control panel, content management system (CMS), or the redirect management tool you’re using, look for settings labeled “Redirect Type”, “Type of Redirect,” or something similar.

Most tools will have a dropdown menu where you can choose from a list of common redirect types (301, 302, 307, etc.). Select the appropriate one.

Some advanced tools might allow you to manually enter the redirect status code if you need a less common type. 

Set the redirect type to ensure smooth navigation and user experience.

 Step 7: Save Your Changes

Where to save:

• Web Server Configuration File: If you edited the .htaccess file or a similar configuration file, save it within the root directory of your web server.
• Content Management System (CMS): If you used your CMS’s redirect feature, its interface might have a built-in “Save” or “Publish” button.
• Domain Registrar: If you managed the redirect at the domain level, your registrar’s control panel will likely have a “Save Changes” option.

How to save:

• Web Server: Use a secure text editor (Notepad++, Sublime Text, etc.) connected to your server via FTP or an in-browser editor. Ensure file permissions are correct after saving.
• CMS: Follow the platform’s specific instructions for saving.
• Domain Registrar: Changes are usually saved automatically when you confirm them in the settings area.

 Step 8: Test the Redirect

You need to:

• Test with multiple browsers: Use Chrome, Firefox, Safari, etc., to make sure the redirect works consistently.
• Clear your browser cache: Before testing, clear your browser cache or use an incognito/private window to avoid cached versions of the old page.
• Test with the original URL: Type in the URL you want to be redirected. Check if it goes to the correct new destination.
• Test redirected site with variations: Try slightly different versions of the old URL (e.g., with “www”, without “www”, with/without trailing slash) to see if the redirect catches all intended cases.

Access some platforms like serpworx to test your Redirect.

Step 9: Update Links

Search your website’s content for any links pointing to the old URL. Use your website crawler or CMS’s search function, or search within your website’s source code files.

Replace any instances of the old URL with the new destination URL.

You also need to search for external links. Use tools like Google Search Console to find websites linking to the old URL. Consider these options:

• Contact Site Owners: If possible, contact websites linking to the old URL and request that they update the link.
• Let it Adjust Naturally: Over time, search engines will re-crawl your website and external sites, updating the links as they index the new homepage redirect.

Note: When implementing redirects, ensure they are straightforward and avoid circular redirects. If redirection is necessary, use a single 301 redirect to a valid 200-page. Keep the number of redirects in a chain below 5 for optimal performance and search engine crawling efficiency.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What Is The Best Way To Redirect A Website?

The best way for most website redirects is a 301 redirect.  301 redirects are permanent and signal to search engines that the old page is gone, and the new page should inherit its search ranking power (link equity).

The method varies by your website setup:

• Web Hosting Control Panel: Most hosting providers have redirect tools built in.
• .htaccess File (Apache servers): Add redirect code to your site’s .htaccess file.
• CMS Plugins: WordPress and other content management systems have redirection plugins.

2. How Does A Redirect Website Work?

A website redirects visitors and search engines from one URL to another. When a user or search engine attempts to access a specific URL, the server responds with a status code indicating the redirection (such as 301 for permanent or 302 for temporary). This response includes the new URL to which the request should be directed. 

The user’s browser or search engine then automatically loads the new page. This process allows website owners to steer traffic away from outdated or irrelevant content, consolidate pages, or reorganize site structures while ensuring a seamless user experience.

3. How Long Does A Website Redirect Take?

In most cases, modern web servers process redirects quickly, often within milliseconds. However, factors like server load, network congestion, and the complexity of the redirection time can influence the overall redirection time. It’s generally recommended to keep redirects as efficient and streamlined as possible to minimize any delay in the user experience.

4. Can You Redirect An Entire Website?

Yes, you can redirect an entire website. This is commonly done when a website undergoes a major restructuring, rebranding, or domain change. To redirect an entire website, you typically set up redirects for each page or for the whole domain using server-side configuration or scripting. 

For example, you can use 301 redirects to inform search engines and browsers that the entire website has permanently moved to a new domain or location. However, it’s essential to carefully plan and implement such redirects to ensure minimal disruption to users and SEO performance.