A website can go through multiple changes; for example, you have updated a blog post on your website, and you are moving it from URL1 to URL2. But you want people to reach the new blog page without losing valuable information. 301 redirects help with this transition process. It ensures visitors are redirected to the new URL. We are going to discuss what exactly a 301 redirect is and why it matters.
Websites are like individual shops with unique addresses (URLs). Sometimes, shops relocate, and to ensure customers don’t get lost, they put up signs saying, “We’ve moved to a new location.”
A 301 redirect, an HTTP status code, acts similarly. When a webpage permanently moves to a new address, the server sends a 301 signal to the browser, essentially informing that the page has been moved to a new address. It basically works as a forwarding address, automatically directing visitors from URL1 to URL2.
A smooth and easy browsing experience is essential for any website. 301 redirects ensure users land on the intended page, even if the original URL has changed. This prevents them from landing on broken links and provides a more frustration-free browsing experience.
Moreover, search engines like Google value websites that are well-maintained and user-friendly. Using 301 redirects properly helps search engines understand the new location of your content, preventing your ranking from suffering.
Not only do 301 redirects help maintain search engine ranking, but they can also transfer “link equity” from URL1 to URL2. Link equity refers to the value passed on by other websites linking to yours, which can positively impact your search ranking.
301 redirect (permanent redirect) works as a permanent forwarding address. It tells search engines and users the old page has permanently moved to a new location, transferring any SEO value (link juice) to the new page.
On the other hand, the 302 redirect indicates the page has temporarily moved and might return to its original URL later. Search engines and users won’t treat the old page as permanently gone.
Redirects have three different types- 301, 302, and meta refresh. Each has a different usage. Here are some key scenarios when you should use 301 redirects:
This is the most common use case. If you’ve revamped your website and a page’s content now is at a different URL, a 301 redirect ensures users and search engines find the updated version.
When reorganizing your website’s structure, 301 redirects help maintain user experience and SEO by directing users from old URLs to their corresponding new locations within the revised structure.
If you decide to remove a page entirely, a 301 redirect to a relevant page on your website can provide users with alternative content and prevent them from encountering a “404 Not Found” error.
A 301 redirect typically involves modifying server-side configuration files or using content management system (CMS) plugins. While the specifics might differ depending on the platform, the concept remains the same – you’re instructing the server to send users and search engines to the new location whenever they try to access the old URL.