A 301 redirect is a permanent redirect that sends users (and search engines) from one URL to another. 301 redirects are commonly used when a website moves to a new domain or changes its structure, and they are considered to be the most SEO-friendly type of redirect.
The benefits of using 301 redirects
There are a few key benefits of using 301 redirects:
- They preserve your website's SEO: When you set up a 301 redirect, your website's search engine rankings will be preserved. This is because the 301 redirect tells search engines that your old URL has been permanently moved to a new location.
- They help users find what they're looking for: By redirecting users from an old URL to a new one, you can help ensure that they always end up at the right place. This is especially important if you're moving your website to a new domain, as it will help reduce confusion and keep users engaged.
- They're easy to implement: 301 redirects are relatively easy to set up and can be done without any coding knowledge.
How to implement a 301 redirect
There are a few different ways that you can implement a 301 redirect:
1. Using .htaccess: This is the most common and recommended method, as it doesn't require any changes to your site's code.
2. By editing your site's code: If you're comfortable editing your site's code, you can add a 301 redirect directly to your .htaccess file.
3. Through your CMS: If you're using a content management system (CMS) like WordPress, there are usually plugins or modules that you can use to set up 301 redirects.
4. Via your server config file: This method is typically used for larger sites, as it requires access to your server's config file.
5. By contacting your host: If you're not comfortable making any changes to your site, you can always contact your host and ask them to set up a 301 redirect for you.