What are redirects?

Why and when do you use redirects?

There are several situations where implementing a redirect is necessary or beneficial:

• Deleting or moving pages: If you delete a page or move it to another location, a redirect prevents visitors from ending up on a '404 Not Found' page.
• Changing the URL structure: When optimising your URLs for search engines or user-friendliness, such as shortening long URLs, redirects ensure that the old URLs are redirected to the new ones.
• Merging websites or pages: If you combine several websites or consolidate similar content on one page, redirects help direct traffic from the old pages to the new ones.
• Switching to a new domain: When migrating to a new domain, redirects ensure that visitors and search engines are automatically directed to the new site.

Different types of redirects

There are several types of redirects, each with a specific function:

• 301 Redirect (Permanent redirect): This redirect indicates that a page has been permanently moved to a new location. It is the most commonly used redirect and transfers the SEO value of the old page to the new one.
• 302 Redirect (Temporary redirect): This is used when a page is temporarily moved to another location. Search engines keep the original URL in their index and do not transfer the SEO value.
• 307 Redirect (Temporary redirect): Similar to the 302, but more specific to HTTP/1.1. It retains the original HTTP method when redirecting.
• Meta Refresh: A client-side redirect that redirects the user to another page after a certain amount of time. It is less recommended due to poorer user experience and limited SEO value.

The importance of redirects for SEO

Correctly implemented redirects are crucial for search engine optimisation (SEO).

• Maintaining link value: A 301 redirect ensures that the accumulated authority and value of the old page are transferred to the new one, which helps maintain search rankings.siteground.com
• Preventing duplicate content: By using redirects, you prevent the same content from being available under multiple URLs, which can lead to lower rankings.
• Improved user experience: Visitors are automatically directed to the right page, which reduces frustration and increases the likelihood of them staying on your site longer.

How do you implement redirects?

The method of setting redirects depends on the technology and platform you use.

• CMS plugins: For systems like WordPress, there are plugins available, such as 'Redirection', which simplify the process without having to edit code.
• Server configuration: For Nginx servers, you can set redirects in the server configuration files.

Redirect 301 /old-page.html http://www.voorbeeld.nl/nieuwe-pagina.html

Common mistakes when using redirects

Implementing redirects incorrectly can have negative consequences for both user experience and SEO.

• Redirect chains: This happens when there are multiple consecutive redirects (e.g. page A redirects to B, which in turn redirects to C). This slows down loading time and can reduce SEO value.
• Redirect loops: A situation where a page links back to itself or another page links back to the original page, creating an infinite loop.
• Incorrect status codes: Using a 302 redirect instead of a 301 for permanent changes may cause search engines not to process the change correctly.

Conclusion

Redirects are an essential part of web management and SEO. They ensure that visitors and search engines are correctly directed after changes to your website, help maintain search rankings and improve the user experience. By implementing the right types of redirects in the right way, you will avoid common pitfalls and ensure your site runs smoothly.

Any questions?

At Surver, we offer comprehensive support for setting up redirects. Whether you are working with our Managed WordPress hosting & care-packages or to make specific changes, we are happy to help you set up the right redirects for your website. Our extensive documentation provides detailed information on how to set up redirects yourself, but you can also rely on our webmaster service. With this service, we take the work off your hands and set up redirects for you, leaving you with no technical worries.

Do you have questions about setting up redirects or other technical support? Then contact our customer service and we will be happy to help you!