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How to Redirect a Page in WordPress: Step-by-Step Guide

Posted on by William Zheng

Ever changed your site’s layout or deleted a page, only to worry visitors might land on a dead end? Redirecting pages in WordPress isn’t just a smart move—it’s essential for keeping your audience happy and your SEO intact.

Knowing how to seamlessly guide users to the right place saves you from lost traffic and broken links. In this article, you’ll learn simple, effective ways to set up redirects, plus helpful tips to ensure a smooth user experience.

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How to Redirect a Page in WordPress: The Complete Guide

Redirecting pages in WordPress is a powerful and often necessary task for website owners. Whether you’re restructuring your website, fixing broken links, or moving content, knowing how to properly set up redirects ensures your visitors (and search engines) always land on the right page. Let’s dive into what WordPress redirects are, why they matter, and the step-by-step methods—both with and without plugins—so you can easily manage redirections on your site.

Understanding WordPress Redirects

A redirect automatically sends anyone who tries to visit a specific web page to a different page. For example, if someone goes to “yourdomain.com/old-page”, they’ll instead arrive at “yourdomain.com/new-page”. This is invaluable when you:

  • Change the URL of a page or post
  • Delete content and need to send users elsewhere
  • Consolidate similar posts
  • Move to a new domain

The two most common types of redirects are:
– 301 Redirect (Permanent): Tells browsers and search engines the page has moved for good; preserves your SEO ranking.
– 302 Redirect (Temporary): Indicates the move is not permanent.

Why Redirects Matter

Redirects play a key role in ensuring a smooth user experience and maintaining your site’s SEO. If you accidentally leave broken or outdated links, visitors might be greeted by ugly “404 Not Found” errors. This can:

  • Frustrate users, leading them to leave your site
  • Damage your search engine rankings, as Google frowns on dead links

By using redirects, you ensure visitors are always taken to the most relevant, up-to-date content.

Methods for Redirecting Pages in WordPress

There are two main ways to set up redirects on a WordPress site:
1. Using a Plugin (recommended for beginners and most users)
2. Manual Methods (for advanced users or those who prefer coding)

Let’s explore both options with tips, pros, and cons so you can pick the best approach.

1. Redirecting Using a WordPress Plugin

Plugins are the easiest, most flexible way to manage redirects—no coding required. Popular plugins handle everything through a simple dashboard.

Best Plugins for WordPress Redirects

  • Redirection: The most widely used, beginner-friendly plugin for managing redirects and tracking 404 errors.
  • Rank Math, Yoast SEO, and AIOSEO: These all-in-one SEO plugins also offer redirection tools as part of their premium or free packages.

Step-by-Step: Set Up a Redirect with Redirection Plugin

  1. Install and Activate the Plugin
  2. Go to your WordPress dashboard.
  3. Navigate to Plugins > Add New.
  4. Search for “Redirection”.

  5. Click ‘Install’ and then ‘Activate’.

  6. Access the Redirection Settings

  7. Head to Tools > Redirection in your dashboard menu.

  8. If it’s your first time, the plugin may guide you through a quick setup wizard.

  9. Create a New Redirect

  10. Enter the “Source URL” (the old page’s URL or path, e.g., /old-page).
  11. Enter the “Target URL” (the new page’s URL, e.g., /new-page or a full URL).
  12. Choose the redirect type (301 is set by default for permanent moves).

  13. Click “Add Redirect”.

  14. Test Your Redirect

  15. Visit the old URL in your browser to ensure it redirects correctly to the new page.
Key Benefits of Using Plugins
  • No coding required
  • Manage hundreds (or thousands!) of redirects with ease
  • Easily update, import/export, or disable redirects
  • Some plugins track 404 errors, helping you spot broken links fast
Tips When Using Plugins
  • Don’t overload your site with unnecessary plugins; choose trusted and regularly updated options
  • Periodically check your redirect list for outdated rules
  • Backup your site before making large changes

2. Manually Redirecting Pages in WordPress

If you’re comfortable with coding or have specific needs, manual redirects give you even more control. There are a few ways to do this:

a. Using the .htaccess File (For Apache Servers)

The .htaccess file controls how URLs are handled. An example of a 301 redirect:

Redirect 301 /old-page/ https://yourdomain.com/new-page/

Steps:
1. Use an FTP client or your hosting file manager to access your WordPress root directory.
2. Locate and back up your .htaccess file.
3. Add your redirect code above the WordPress # BEGIN WordPress line.
4. Save the file and upload it back if needed.

Notes:
– One small syntax error can break your site. Make backups first!
– This method works best on Apache servers—not NGINX or Windows hosting.

b. Modifying functions.php or Custom Plugins

Advanced users can add redirects in the functions.php file for theme-based redirections.

function custom_redirect() {
    if (is_page('old-page')) {
        wp_redirect(home_url('/new-page/'), 301);
        exit();
    }
}
add_action('template_redirect', 'custom_redirect');

Tips:
– Never edit files without backing up first.
– Place code snips after testing on a staging site to avoid white screens.

c. For NGINX Servers

On NGINX, redirects are set in the configuration files. These often require hosting support as changes impact your server.

3. When to Use Which Method

  • Use Plugins If: You’re not comfortable with server files or need an efficient way to manage multiple redirects.
  • Use Manual Methods If: You have special cases, performance concerns, or know what you’re doing.

Both methods can coexist; however, having redirects in too many places can lead to confusion and maintenance headaches.

Tips, Best Practices, and What to Avoid

  • Always Prefer 301 Redirects for permanent URL changes. They pass most of the SEO value.
  • Avoid Chain Redirects: Don’t let one redirect lead to another, then another. This slows the site and hurts the user experience.
  • Regularly Audit Redirects: Remove any that are no longer needed.
  • Monitor 404 Errors: Plugins often have logs—use them to fix broken links quickly.
  • Update Internal Links: After redirecting, update your posts and menus to point directly to the new URLs.
  • Test Everything: Use multiple browsers, incognito/private windows, and check from mobile devices.
  • Backup Site Before Changes: Even small changes carry risk—especially when editing .htaccess or server configs.
  • Consider Performance: Large numbers of redirects can slow your site. Manage them carefully.

Common Challenges and How to Solve Them

  • Redirect Loops: Occur when two pages point to each other. Double-check your rules to avoid infinite loops.
  • Incorrect Redirect Types: Accidentally using a 302 (temporary) instead of 301 (permanent) can affect your SEO.
  • Plugin Conflicts: Running multiple redirect or SEO plugins can cause conflicts or unexpected behavior. Stick to one where possible.
  • Lost SEO Rankings: Not using redirects, or implementing them incorrectly, can result in lost traffic. Always prefer 301s, and use Google Search Console to monitor for drop-offs.

Practical Advice to Get the Most Out of Redirects

  • Document your redirects: Keep a spreadsheet or list to track changes for future reference.
  • Use descriptive slugs for new URLs to keep links tidy and SEO-friendly.
  • Set up redirects immediately after deleting or moving content to avoid broken links.
  • If migrating a site, plan a comprehensive redirect strategy before going live.
  • Periodically revisit old redirects that may no longer be needed to keep your site lean.
  • For large sites, consider using regular expressions in plugins to create bulk rules (advanced feature).
  • Test site speed with tools like GTmetrix or Google PageSpeed Insights after heavy redirect changes.

(Shipping or Cost Considerations)

While redirecting WordPress pages doesn’t usually cost anything, there are indirect costs to consider:
– Free Plugins: Most redirection plugins are free. Premium SEO plugins may bundle advanced redirect features.
– Developer Costs: If your site is complex, hiring a developer for manual redirects or mass updates may be worthwhile.
– Site Downtime: Incorrect manual redirects can bring your website down, potentially costing you lost sales or leads.
– SEO Cost: Failing to set up redirects properly can lead to lost search rankings, which can directly impact revenue.

For eCommerce or shipping pages, always double-check redirects to avoid misdirecting customers. Redirect loops or old links can lead to missed sales or customer confusion.

Summary

Redirecting pages in WordPress is essential for maintaining a smooth visitor experience and strong search engine rankings. Whether you use a plugin or take the manual route, setting up redirects doesn’t need to be daunting. Remember best practices: use the correct redirect types, keep things organized, and always test your changes. With a little ongoing attention, your visitors—and Google—will always find their way to the right place!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the easiest way to set up redirects in WordPress?
The easiest way is by using a free plugin like Redirection. It lets you create, modify, and monitor redirects from your WordPress dashboard without any coding.

Should I use a 301 or 302 redirect?
Use a 301 redirect for permanent changes (like moving or deleting a page), as it tells search engines to update their index. Use a 302 redirect only for temporary moves.

Can too many redirects slow down my site?
Yes. Large numbers of redirects, especially redirect chains (A > B > C), can impact site speed. Keep rules tidy and direct. Regularly audit to remove unused or unnecessary redirects.

Will setting up redirects affect my SEO?
When done correctly using 301 redirects, you help preserve your site’s search rankings by guiding search engines (and users) to the correct page. Improper or missing redirects can negatively affect SEO.

Is it safe to edit the .htaccess file myself?
Only if you know what you’re doing. .htaccess is powerful, but a small typo can break your site. Always back up your site and consider using a plugin if you’re unsure.

Redirects don’t have to be stressful. With the right tools and a bit of best practice, you’ll keep your site healthy, your users happy, and your SEO strong!

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