Ever found yourself needing to guide visitors from one page to another on your WordPress site, but weren’t sure how? Whether you’re updating site structure, fixing broken links, or streamlining navigation, knowing how to redirect pages in WordPress is key to a smooth user experience.
In this article, you’ll discover simple, effective methods to set up redirects in WordPress. We’ll walk through step-by-step instructions, share helpful tips, and highlight common mistakes to avoid, so your redirects work flawlessly.
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How to Redirect in WordPress: The Complete Guide
Redirecting pages or URLs in WordPress is a vital skill for website owners and administrators. Whether you’re rebranding, merging content, fixing broken links, or optimizing for SEO, redirects ensure your visitors land where you want them—every time. In this guide, you’ll learn what redirects are, why they matter, and the many effective ways to set them up in your WordPress site, plugin-free or with helpful tools.
What Is a Redirect in WordPress?
A redirect automatically sends visitors and search engines from one URL to another. When someone visits a URL that has been redirected, they’re instantly forwarded to a new, intended destination without needing to click anything extra.
Redirects are used for reasons like:
- Changing the permalink structure of your site
- Moving or deleting posts, pages, or products
- Combining site content or domains
- Fixing broken or outdated links
- Enhancing user experience and SEO
Types of Redirects in WordPress
Understanding different redirect types helps you make the best choice for your situation:
- 301 Redirect (Permanent): Signals the old URL has permanently moved. This is best for SEO and most content changes.
- 302 Redirect (Temporary): Tells browsers and search engines the move isn’t permanent. Use when you intend to restore the original URL later.
- 307 Redirect (Temporary): Similar to 302, but with subtle technical differences.
For most websites, the 301 redirect is the go-to choice.
How to Redirect WordPress URLs: Methods Explained
Redirects in WordPress can be achieved in several ways. The right option depends on your comfort level and the complexity you need.
1. Redirects Using a WordPress Plugin
For most users, plugins are the easiest and most powerful way. They offer intuitive interfaces, logging, and advanced options—without editing code.
Why Use a Plugin?
- Simple setup with no coding
- Manage all redirects from your dashboard
- Track redirect activity
- Set up bulk or conditional redirects
Popular Plugins for Redirects
- Redirection: The most widely recommended free plugin. Allows easy creation, management, and tracking of redirects.
- Rank Math SEO / Yoast SEO: Both SEO plugins feature built-in redirect managers (some features may require their premium versions).
How to Set Up a Redirect with a Plugin (Step-by-Step)
- Install and Activate: From your dashboard, go to Plugins > Add New, search for your preferred redirect plugin, then install and activate.
- Access Redirect Settings: Typically found under Tools > Redirection or a similar new menu item.
- Add a New Redirect: Enter your “Source URL” (the page to redirect from) and “Target URL” (the page to redirect to).
- Choose Redirect Type: Set your redirect type (301, 302, etc.)—usually 301 for permanent changes.
- Save: Click to create your redirect. Many plugins instantly activate the rule.
Benefits of Using Plugins
- No need to touch code or backend files
- Easy to update or remove redirects later
- Log and see errors or broken links
- Handle complex scenarios, like wildcard and regex redirects
Potential Challenges
- Too many plugins can slow your site—pick trusted, light-weight options
- Some plugins may require premium versions for advanced features
2. Redirects Without Plugins (Manual Methods)
For those comfortable with code, WordPress lets you manually set redirects using:
a. .htaccess File (for Apache Servers)
The .htaccess file is powerful. You can add lines to control how your server handles URLs.
How to Set a 301 Redirect in .htaccess
1. Access your site’s root directory (often via FTP or File Manager in your hosting panel).
2. Find the .htaccess file. Always back up this file before making changes!
3. Add this line at the end (replace the example URLs):
Redirect 301 /old-page/ https://yoursite.com/new-page/
- Save and upload.
b. Nginx Configuration
If your server runs on Nginx, redirects are set in your server configuration:
rewrite ^/old-page/?$ https://yoursite.com/new-page/ permanent;
Remember: Changing server config files is advanced and usually requires access to your hosting dashboard or SSH.
c. Using the WordPress functions.php File
For custom redirects in code without a plugin, add snippets to your theme’s functions.php file. Example:
function wpb_custom_redirect() {
if (is_page('old-page')) {
wp_redirect(home_url('/new-page/'), 301);
exit;
}
}
add_action('template_redirect', 'wpb_custom_redirect');
Important: Always backup before editing, and don’t make direct changes to parent theme files—use a child theme.
Pros of Manual Redirects
- No plugin overhead
- Immediate, server-level processing (good for performance)
Cons
- Risky if you make a mistake (site could break or redirect loops can occur)
- Harder to manage lots of redirects
- No logs or visual tracking
3. Redirects with SEO Plugins
SEO plugins like Yoast SEO and Rank Math have built-in redirect management. If you’re already using one, look for the “Redirects” tab in your plugin dashboard. Follow the plugin instructions to add and manage redirects without additional tools.
Best Practices for WordPress Redirects
Setting up redirects is important for both user experience and SEO. To do it right, keep these practices in mind:
- Always Use 301 for Permanent Moves: This passes SEO “link juice” to the new location, so you don’t lose rankings.
- Test Redirects: After setting up, visit old URLs to confirm they route correctly.
- Avoid Redirect Loops: Be careful not to redirect page A to B and B back to A.
- Update Internal Links: Whenever possible, update your content to link directly to the new URLs, not through a redirect.
- Keep a Redirect List: It’s easy to forget your redirects, and useful to track them (some plugins help with this).
- Limit the Number of Plugins: Too many plugins may impact site speed. Rely on trusted, necessary tools only.
Practical Tips and Advice
- Plan Ahead: Map changes before you delete or move pages. This reduces mistakes and keeps your SEO in line.
- Use Analytics: Track traffic to redirected URLs via Google Analytics or your redirect plugin logs. This helps identify patterns and broken links.
- Handle Common Mistakes:
- Don’t chain redirects (A → B → C)
- Double-check for typos in URLs
- Back up files before editing .htaccess or server configs
- Set Up Wildcard Redirects Carefully: Use these to redirect groups of URLs (like categories) but test to avoid catching unintended URLs.
Cost Tips
Redirecting URLs in WordPress can be free if you use built-in tools, code snippets, or free plugins. However, advanced features, support, or large-scale management may require premium plugin versions. Here’s how you can keep costs down:
- Start with Reputable Free Plugins: Most basic needs are covered at no cost.
- Use Hosting Support: Some managed WordPress hosts offer redirect tools in their control panels.
- Don’t Overbuy: Only choose premium options if your site’s needs grow or free solutions become limiting.
No shipping or physical goods are involved in URL redirects, so there are no additional costs besides optional premium plugin fees.
Challenges and Troubleshooting Redirects
Even with the best planning, issues can occur. Common challenges include:
- 404 Errors Persist: Double-check for typos and the right redirect type.
- Redirect Loops: This happens if redirects point to each other in a loop or are misconfigured. Remove conflicting rules.
- Doesn’t Work on Nginx: Ensure you’re editing the correct configuration; Nginx doesn’t read .htaccess.
- Plugin Conflicts: Multiple plugins or bad interaction with caching tools can interfere with proper redirection.
- Cache Issues: Browsers and site caches can show old versions. Clear both after setting up new redirects.
Summary
Redirecting in WordPress is essential for maintaining a smooth user journey and healthy SEO, especially when content changes, sites are restructured, or URLs change. Whether you choose an easy-to-use plugin or tackle manual redirects for advanced control, the steps outlined above will help you seamlessly guide visitors from old URLs to their proper new destinations. Monitor your redirects, follow best practices, and keep your site structure sound to ensure a great experience for your visitors and continued search visibility.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How do I set up a simple redirect in WordPress without a plugin?
To set up a basic redirect without a plugin, you can edit your site’s .htaccess file (Apache servers) or add a PHP snippet to your theme’s functions.php. Be cautious and back up files before making any changes.
What’s the difference between a 301 and a 302 redirect?
A 301 redirect is permanent and signals search engines to transfer SEO value to the new page. A 302 redirect is temporary, indicating that the original URL may come back in the future.
Will redirects hurt my SEO?
When implemented correctly, 301 redirects preserve most of the SEO value and protect your rankings. Poorly executed redirects, redirect chains, or loops can harm your SEO.
Is it better to use a plugin or manual methods for redirects?
For most users, plugins are safer and easier. Manual methods suit experienced users who need granular control and are comfortable editing backend files.
Can I redirect an entire category or group of pages?
Yes, you can use wildcard redirects in plugins or write regex rules in server configuration files to handle groups of URLs. Test carefully to ensure only the intended pages are impacted.
By following the guidance in this article, you’ll have full control over redirects in your WordPress site and can keep your content, visitors, and SEO on the right track.