Ever landed on a broken link or needed to guide visitors to a new location on your website? Redirecting pages in WordPress is a common need for site owners, whether you’re launching new content, fixing old URLs, or improving user experience.
Knowing how to set up redirects can prevent lost traffic and boost your site’s performance. In this article, we’ll walk you through simple, effective ways to redirect a WordPress page, with practical steps and expert tips.
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How to Redirect a WordPress Page: A Comprehensive Guide
Redirects are an essential tool for anyone managing a WordPress site. Whether you’re updating old content, rebranding URLs, or fixing broken links, knowing how to set up redirects efficiently can protect your site’s user experience and SEO performance. Let’s break down everything you need to know about redirecting WordPress pages, covering both plugin-based and manual methods, tips, best practices, and frequently asked questions.
What Is a WordPress Redirect?
A redirect is a way to send visitors and search engines from one URL to another. For example, if you renamed a page from /old-page/ to /new-page/, a redirect ensures that anyone visiting the old address finds themselves at the new one without confusion or error messages.
Common types of redirects include:
- 301 (Permanent) Redirect: Tells browsers and search engines that a page has permanently moved.
- 302 (Temporary) Redirect: Indicates a page has moved temporarily.
- 307 Redirect: Another form of temporary redirect, specifically used for HTTP/1.1.
For most website needs—and especially for SEO—you’ll use a 301 redirect.
Why You Might Need to Redirect a WordPress Page
Redirects are a fundamental part of managing a dynamic website. Here’s why you might use them:
- Updating URLs: When you change a post’s address or structure your site differently.
- Deleting Content: To send visitors to relevant pages instead of showing a 404 error.
- Fixing Broken Links: To recover lost traffic from outdated or mistyped links.
- Consolidating Content: Combining similar posts without losing search engine rankings.
- Rebranding or Changing Domain Names: Ensuring old links still reach your site.
Setting up correct redirects helps maintain your SEO rankings and improves user experience by ensuring visitors always reach relevant content.
How to Redirect a WordPress Page — Step by Step
There are two main approaches in WordPress: using a plugin or setting up redirects manually. Let’s look at both.
Method 1: Using a WordPress Redirect Plugin (Recommended for Most Users)
Plugins are the easiest and safest way to manage redirects in WordPress, especially for beginners. They typically offer a user-friendly interface and help prevent errors.
Popular Redirect Plugins
- Redirection
- Rank Math SEO
- All in One SEO (AIOSEO)
- Safe Redirect Manager
- Simple 301 Redirects
How to Use a Redirect Plugin
Let’s walk through the process with a typical plugin like “Redirection”:
- Install and Activate the Plugin:
- Go to your WordPress dashboard.
- Navigate to Plugins > Add New.
-
Search for “Redirection” and click Install, then Activate.
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Configure Your First Redirect:
- After activation, go to Tools > Redirection.
- Click on “Add New” or similar button.
- Fill in:
- Source URL: The old page you want to redirect (e.g.,
/old-page/). - Target URL: The new page (e.g.,
/new-page/). - Type: Select 301 for permanent moves.
- Source URL: The old page you want to redirect (e.g.,
-
Click “Add Redirect” or “Save.”
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Test the Redirect:
- Visit the old URL in your browser.
- Ensure you’re automatically directed to the new location.
Benefits of Using Plugins
- User-friendly, no coding required.
- Manage multiple redirects easily.
- Some plugins track 404 errors, helping you spot and fix broken links.
- Safe and minimized risk of breaking the site.
Method 2: Redirect WordPress Pages Manually (Advanced)
If you prefer not to use plugins, you can set up redirects by editing your site’s files. This is more technical and doesn’t always have a built-in safety net, so back up your site first.
1. Edit the .htaccess File (For Apache Servers)
The .htaccess file controls how your web server handles certain requests.
To redirect one page to another:
Redirect 301 /old-page/ /new-page/
- Place the above on a new line at the end of your
.htaccessfile. - Replace
/old-page/and/new-page/with your actual paths (relative to your domain). - Save changes.
To redirect to a different domain:
Redirect 301 /old-page/ https://www.newdomain.com/new-page/
2. Using NGINX Configuration (For NGINX Servers)
If your host uses NGINX, add this to your server block config:
rewrite ^/old-page/?$ /new-page/ permanent;
- Reload NGINX after saving.
3. PHP Redirects in Page Template (Not Recommended for SEO)
As a last resort, you can add this at the top of a template file (replace the URL):
Best Practices and Expert Tips
- Always Use 301 for Permanent Changes: This preserves SEO value and tells search engines to index the new URL.
- Limit the Number of Redirects: Too many can slow your site and create redirect loops.
- Use Plugins for Site-Wide Management: They’re safer, especially when managing many redirects.
- Update Internal Links: After creating redirects, update your WordPress menus and internal links to point to the new URLs.
- Monitor 404 Errors: Many plugins track these so you can catch issues early.
- Back Up Before You Edit: Changing files like
.htaccesscan break your site if not done carefully. - Test Everything: After setting up redirects, use different devices and browsers to make sure everything works as expected.
Challenges When Redirecting Pages
- Redirect Loops: These happen when pages point to each other in a circle, trapping visitors.
- Plugin Conflicts: Using multiple redirect plugins or SEO plugins can cause conflicting instructions.
- Server Differences: Redirects work differently on Apache vs NGINX hosting.
- 404 Errors: Failing to update old links after moving content can lead to broken pages.
- SEO Considerations: Incorrect redirects can impact search rankings. Always use the correct redirect type.
Cost Considerations
Redirecting pages in WordPress is generally free if you handle it yourself with plugins or manual edits. Most standard redirect plugins offer robust features at no cost.
- Free plugins: Suitable for most needs.
- Premium plugins: May provide advanced features like bulk redirection, analytics, or support, costing anywhere from $20 to $100 per year.
- Developer fees: If you’re not comfortable editing files, hiring a developer may cost extra.
If your site involves ecommerce and shipping calculation changes due to redirected pages, make sure all product and checkout links are also updated to prevent order errors.
Practical Scenarios and Advice
- Rebranding: Redirect all old pages to new ones with matching content to maintain trust and rankings.
- Merging Sites: Carefully map every old URL to the most appropriate new page.
- Deleting Old Content: Always set up a redirect to a related resource instead of leaving a broken link.
- Site Restructuring: Use a bulk redirect tool in your plugin to save time.
Regularly audit your redirects as your site grows and changes.
Conclusion
Redirecting pages in WordPress ensures a smooth experience for visitors and maintains your site’s search engine standing. Whether you choose a plugin or manual setup, following best practices and being mindful of potential challenges will make the process simple and safe. By managing your redirects proactively, you’ll avoid broken links, lost traffic, and negative impacts on your SEO. As your site evolves, effective redirect management is a skill that pays off again and again.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How do I know if a redirect is working properly?
After setting up a redirect, simply enter the old URL in your browser. You should be taken directly to the new URL. Tools and browser extensions that check for HTTP status codes can confirm it’s a 301 (permanent) redirect.
Will setting up redirects hurt my SEO?
When done properly, redirects (especially 301 redirects) help maintain your SEO by passing most of the original page’s equity to the new URL. Avoid redirect chains and always use the correct redirect type.
Can I undo a redirect if I change my mind?
Yes. If you set up the redirect using a plugin, simply delete or deactivate that rule. If you used the .htaccess file, remove or comment out the corresponding line, save, and test.
Do I need a plugin for simple redirects?
No, but plugins make managing multiple redirects easier and safer. For just a single or a couple of redirects, manual methods (like editing .htaccess) are fine if you’re comfortable.
How can I track and fix 404 errors on my WordPress site?
Many redirect plugins include 404 monitoring. You can also use Google Search Console to identify pages that generate 404 errors and set up appropriate redirects to resolve them.
By understanding and applying the techniques in this guide, you’ll have no trouble redirecting pages on your WordPress site—ensuring both your visitors and your SEO are in good hands!