SEO glossary: 301 redirect

 

When does it make sense to set up a 301 redirect?

It always makes sense to set up a 301 redirect if the URL structure of an Internet project is changed. The same applies if the entire domain name is changed and the project is relocated. If a webmaster discovers that content can be accessed via two different URLs, a 301 redirect is also useful to merge them.

 

1. If an Internet user enters the desired URL in their browser or a bot wants to access it, it retrieves the corresponding file.
2. The Internet browser or bot asks the server to deliver the corresponding file.
3. If a 301 redirect is active for this file/subpage, the server notices this and receives the information to which new address or file the redirect is made.
4. The Internet browser or bot now receives the status code 301 (Moved Permanently) and is automatically redirected to the new address.

 

 

 

Search engine bots in particular remember that a website and the corresponding file are now permanently accessible under a new path. Accordingly, the user will be automatically redirected to the new subpage in future. At the same time, the new URL is indexed in the search engine.

Is a 301 redirect bad for SEO?

Setting up a 301 redirect is anything but bad. This is because it maintains the user-friendliness of a website, users do not land on a 404 errors pages (content not found).

 

At the same time, a 301 redirect shows search engine bots that the structure has changed. This makes it easier for Google, Bing and the like to ensure that previously desired content is easily accessible.

 

If you do not use a 301 redirect, you run the risk of your website being completely reset in search engines. Valuable rankings and the associated traffic can be lost. What's more, users are annoyed as they increasingly receive 404 error pages and end up with nothing.

 

 

How to create a 301 redirect?

A 301 redirect can be set up either using PHP or in the .htaccess file. At the same time, the "mod_rewrite" module is required in the Apache web server.

 

301 Redirect with PHP

To set up a 301 redirect with PHP, a code must be inserted in the respective PHP file to be retrieved:

 

301 Redirect with .htaccess

There are various options for using a 301 redirect via .htaccess:

 

Example:

 

www.domain.de/alte-unterseite redirects to www.domain.de/neue-unterseite
RewriteEngine OnRedirect 301 /old-bottom-page/ http://www.domain.de/neue-unterseite /

 

Create htaccess redirect from non-www to www:

 

RewriteEngine OnRewriteCond %{HTTP_HOST} !^www.domain.de$ [NC]RewriteRule ^(.*)$ http://www.domain.de/$1 [L,R=301]

 

Create htaccess redirect from www to non-www:

 

RewriteEngine OnRewriteCond %{HTTP_HOST} ^www.domain.de$ [NC]RewriteRule ^(.*)$ http://domain.de/$1 [L,R=301]