A 301 redirect is a permanent redirection from one URL to another, used to maintain search engine rankings and user access when a webpage’s URL changes. It signals to search engines and browsers that the original URL has been permanently replaced with a new one.
301 vs 302 Redirect
The main difference between a 301 and a 302 redirect is that 301 redirects are permanent and 302 redirects are temporary.
301 is the most common type. It takes visitors to the new URL and tells search engines the redirect is permanent.
When Should You Use a 301 Redirect?
- Permanently Moving a Page to a New URL
- Deleting a Page
- Migrating Your Site to a New Domain
- Changing Your Site Structure
- Moving From Non-WWW to WWW URLs (or Resolving Duplication Issues)
- Switching From HTTP to HTTPS
- Merging Two (or More) Domains
- Resolving ‘Trailing Slash’ Issues
- Resolving Upper-Case vs. Lower-Case Issues
How to Do a 301 Redirect
The way you implement a 301 redirect depends on your server and the content management system (CMS) you use.
Here’s how to do a 301 redirect across some of the common setups.
301 Redirects on WordPress Sites
Implementing WordPress redirects is relatively simple and straightforward, compared to other available redirect methods.
If you have a WordPress website, consider using a plugin before trying any of the other redirect methods on this list.
301 Redirects on Shopify Stores
As with WordPress, implementing 301 redirections on a Shopify store is relatively simple and straightforward.
To do so, head to Sales channels > Online Store > Navigation
You’ll see a discreet “View URL redirects” link in the top-right corner. Go ahead and click it.
Next, click “Create URL redirect.”
It is then as simple as adding your “from” and “to” URLs and saving the redirect.
301 Redirects on BigCommerce
If you’re running a store on BigCommerce, here is how to add 301 redirects:
Navigate to Settings › 301 Redirects.
And add a redirect, including your old URL.
Choose a manual link, where you enter the new URL to redirect to.
Or dynamic link, where you select a page or category, and the redirect will automatically update if you change this page later.
Enter your new page’s URL or choose a page to redirect to if you selected the dynamic link option above.
Common 301 Redirect Mistakes & How to Avoid Them
Allowing Pages to 404
Don’t let pages return a 404 error if you can reasonably avoid it. It creates a terrible user experience. And can hurt your SEO performance.
Using 302 Instead of 301 Redirects
A common issue among SEOs is not knowing whether you should apply the 301 redirect vs. 302.
301 redirects should be used when the change is permanent. And 302s when the change is only temporary.
Using JavaScript for Redirection Without a Proper Setup
301 redirects are server-side. And JavaScript redirects are client-side. Meaning they tell the browser to get the content from a different location.
You might want to use JavaScript for redirects if you don’t have access to your server configuration or .htaccess file, are running an A/B test, or have other specific needs.
Using Redirects Rather Than Updating Broken Internal Links
It can be tempting to fix broken internal links by redirecting the link to another page. But over time, this can create another issue: a redirect chain.
Redirect Chains & Loops
A redirect chain happens when there are two or more redirects between the first URL and the final URL.
And a redirect loop is when a URL is redirected to another, which in turn redirects back to the initial URL. Leading to an infinite loop of redirects.