301 Redirects – Launching a New Website (Part-2)

As I mentioned is Part-1 of this blog series, there are many nitty gritty details that are behind the scenes, that can make or break the transition of a newly launched website. In this post I will discuss the importance of utilizing 301 Redirects and how to get these set up.

What is a 301 Redirect?
In short, a 301 Redirect is a URL redirection, also called URL forwarding. This is a technique on the Web used to send a user from an old url (web page) to the new url (web page). 301 Redirect is the most efficient and Search Engine Friendly method for webpage redirection. It's not that hard to implement and it should preserve your search engine rankings for that particular page. If you have to change file names or move pages around, it's the safest option. The code "301" is interpreted as "moved permanently".

How to set these up
You may need some technical help on this. I would recommend calling your web hosting provider to get details on how to do this on their server. Or contact your IT guru and have them help you out. However here is a good reference on how to implement these based on the coding technology you're using.
http://www.webconfs.com/how-to-redirect-a-webpage.php

Why should I do this?
It’s a no-brainer. Most likely you current web pages (urls) have been indexed by Google (and other search engines). Congrats, this is a good thing! However, most likely your site structure or web page names will be changing, or even the technology (code behind the html). One slight change in the url name or site structure will create a dead link for your website. I would say that MOST of us, do NOT want to lose any pages we have indexed by search engines. These are like a GOLD-MINE!

So basically you want to put 301 Redirects in place (for EVERY page of your old site) to help in this transition from old to new. Your telling the search engines what you’ve done and how to handle it. Over time they will eventually remove the old links from their index. Also, don’t forget about creating your custom 404 error pages (Part-1).

When you get ready to launch your new website, make sure you have all your basis covered. There are a lot of behind the scenes details that need addressed. It’s always best to consult with a web professional.

Would you like to learn more about creating 301 Redirects for your website? Let us help you E-volve! Say Hello today at 330-620-6572. Or visit our website: http://www.evolvecreativegroup.com