Mastering URL Redirection in WordPress: 2 Simple Methods You Need to Know!

Experiencing a ‘Page Not Found’ error after clicking a link on your own website can be incredibly frustrating. This seemingly minor issue can lead to significant consequences, including confusing your visitors and damaging your hard-earned search engine rankings.

At CanadaCreate, we have successfully managed numerous website migrations and content updates over the years. We understand that setting up redirects may seem technical and daunting, but it doesn’t have to be.

In this guide, we will demonstrate two simple methods for managing redirects in WordPress. These are the exact, easy-to-follow techniques we use to ensure our site operates smoothly and keeps our readers satisfied.

Why is URL Redirection Important in WordPress?

At CanadaCreate, we have witnessed many websites suffer from loss of traffic and rankings due to broken links and missing pages. This highlights the importance of implementing proper URL redirects for any WordPress site.

We frequently set up redirects when clients transition to a new domain or modify their URL structure. Redirects are also crucial when consolidating multiple posts or pages, removing outdated content that still attracts traffic, reorganizing website navigation, or creating temporary promotional landing pages.

Redirect strategies are essential for preventing potential issues that can arise more frequently than expected, helping you avoid significant problems in the future.

Broken links can severely impact your website’s performance. They not only harm your search engine rankings but also erode user trust, reduce conversion rates, squander advertising budgets, and increase bounce rates.

This leads to a frustrating user experience and can adversely affect your SEO efforts.

Fortunately, you can easily monitor 404 errors and redirect those URLs to existing pages.

Now, let’s explore how to redirect a page or URL in WordPress. We will discuss two effective methods:

Method 1: Redirecting Pages with All in One SEO (AIOSEO)

The easiest way to redirect pages and URLs in WordPress is by using the All in One SEO (AIOSEO) plugin. It is the top SEO plugin for WordPress and includes a powerful Redirection Manager add-on that simplifies the process of setting up redirects.

Begin by installing and configuring the AIOSEO Pro plugin on your website. For detailed instructions, refer to our guide on setting up All in One SEO properly.

Next, activate the Redirect Manager add-on. Simply navigate toAll in One SEO » Redirectsand click the ‘Activate Redirects’ button.

Then, click on the ‘Settings’ tab to choose your preferred redirect method.

We suggest using the ‘PHP’ option as it is the easiest and does not require any technical adjustments to your web server.

You are now prepared to redirect your WordPress pages. This can be accomplished using the AIOSEO Redirection Manager or the WordPress content editor.

How to Create a Redirect Using the AIOSEO Redirection Manager

While still on theAll in One SEO » Redirectspage, return to the ‘Redirects’ tab. This section allows you to manage existing redirects and add new ones.

To create a new redirect, enter the post slug of the URL that is not functioning. The slug is the segment of the URL that follows your website’s domain name.

Let’s examine an example. The complete URL of a post or page appears as follows:

https://example.com/old-coffee-link-is-broken/

In this instance, the post slug is the final segment of the URL:

/old-coffee-link-is-broken/

You should enter or paste the post slug of the broken link into the ‘Source URL’ field like this:

Next, enter the post slug of the existing page you want to redirect the URL to. Type or paste this into the ‘Target URL’ field.

Alternatively, you can type part of the page’s title, and AIOSEO will provide a list of matching posts and pages.

Once you select the correct post, the slug will be automatically filled in for you.

The final step is to choose the type of redirect.

Ensure that the ‘301 Moved Permanently’ redirect type is selected, then click the ‘Add Redirect’ button.

Now, you can scroll down to see a log of the redirects you have set up.

The ‘Hits’ column displays the number of visitors to the redirected link, and there is an option to enable or disable individual 301 redirects.

How to Create a Redirect Using the WordPress Content Editor

You can also utilize the All in One SEO plugin to redirect a published post or page while editing.

Scroll to the bottom of the WordPress editor to locate the AIOSEO Settings section, and click on the ‘Redirects’ tab.

In this section, you will find the same redirection options mentioned earlier. The source URL will be pre-filled, and you just need to enter the target URL.

Ensure that the ‘301 Moved Permanently’ redirect type is selected, then click the ‘Add Redirect’ button.

Method 2: Manually Creating Redirects by Editing .htaccess

You can also redirect a page or URL without using a plugin by manually adding code to your website’s .htaccess file. This method is not recommended for beginners, as even a minor error can cause your website to malfunction.

Before proceeding with this method, we highly recommend backing up your .htaccess file.

You can modify the file using the All in One SEO editor tool or directly through FTP or your hosting provider’s file manager.

Editing .htaccess with the All in One SEO .htaccess Editor

The All in One SEO plugin provides a user-friendly way to edit your .htaccess file, but you will need the All in One SEO Pro version to access the .htaccess editor.

After installing and configuring AIOSEO, simply go to the All in One SEO » Tools section. Then, switch to the ‘.htaccess Editor’ tab.

This section displays the contents of your .htaccess file. You should paste your redirect code at the bottom of the file, right after the ‘# END WordPress’ line.

Here’s a straightforward redirect example that sends users from an old post to a new post.

Redirect 301 /thisistheoldurl/ https://yoursite.com/thisisthenewurl/

Make sure to replace the placeholder URLs with your actual URLs. Here’s what each component means:

• /thisistheoldurl/ — This represents the path of the old URL you want to redirect from. It follows your domain name and must begin with a /./.
• https://yoursite.com/new-urlThis is the full URL of the new page where you want to direct your visitors. Be sure to include thehttps://protocol.

After completing this step, click the ‘Save Changes’ button at the top of the page to update the .htaccess file with the new redirect code.

Directly Editing .htaccess

You can also modify the .htaccess file directly without using a plugin. To do this, connect to your website using an FTP client or the file manager provided by your hosting service.

The .htaccess file is located in the root directory of your website. If you cannot find it there, please refer to our guide on locating the .htaccess file on your WordPress site.

You might be able to edit the file using the Edit feature in the file manager. Alternatively, you can download the .htaccess file to your computer and edit it with a text editor like Notepad.

Paste the following redirect code at the end of your .htaccess file, right after the ‘# END WordPress’ line.

RewriteEngine On
Redirect 301 /old-url/ http://yoursite.com/new-url/

Be sure to substitute the placeholder URLs with your actual links. Getting the format correct is crucial.

• The first component, /thisistheoldurl/, represents the path of the old URL following your domain name.
• The second component, https://yoursite.com/thisisthenewurl/, must include the full new URL.

Ensure you save your changes, and if needed, re-upload the .htaccess file to the server.

You can now test your redirect to confirm it is functioning as intended.

Common Questions About WordPress Redirects

Over the years, we have assisted thousands of users with their WordPress sites, and many frequently ask about redirects. Here are answers to some of the most common inquiries.

1. What is a 301 redirect?

A 301 redirect is a permanent directive that guides visitors and search engines from one URL to another. It informs search engines that a page has permanently moved, allowing them to transfer any ranking authority from the old URL to the new one.

2. When should I implement a 301 redirect in WordPress?

Utilize a 301 redirect when you permanently relocate or remove a page. This is often necessary when changing a page’s URL (permalink), consolidating two posts into one, transitioning to a new domain, or removing outdated content that still attracts visitors.

3. Do redirects affect the loading speed of a WordPress site?

A few properly managed redirects typically won’t significantly impact your site’s loading speed. However, an excessive number of redirects or ‘redirect chains’ (where one URL redirects to another, which then redirects again) can increase loading times.

Employing a tool like AIOSEO’s Redirection Manager can help mitigate these issues.

4. How can I verify if my redirect is functioning correctly?

The simplest method is to enter the old URL in your browser. It should instantly redirect you to the new page.

5. Is it preferable to use a plugin or modify the .htaccess file?

For most users, utilizing a plugin like All in One SEO is the preferred option. It offers enhanced safety, user-friendliness, and allows you to monitor and manage all your redirects from a single dashboard.

Modifying the .htaccess file is suitable only for advanced users, as even a minor error can potentially disrupt your entire website.

Additional Resources on URL Redirection in WordPress

Now that you have learned how to redirect pages and URLs, you might find these other guides on URL redirection in WordPress helpful:

• Beginner’s Guide to Creating 301 Redirects in WordPress
• Step-by-Step Guide to Finding and Fixing Broken Links in WordPress
• How to Easily Monitor 404 Errors and Redirect Them in WordPress
• How to Redirect Your 404 Error Page to the Home Page in WordPress
• Beginner’s Guide to Properly Transitioning WordPress from HTTP to HTTPS
• Beginner’s Guide to Performing a Full Site Redirect in WordPress
• How to Seamlessly Move WordPress to a New Domain Without Losing SEO Value

We hope this tutorial has helped you understand how to redirect a page or URL in WordPress. You may also want to check out our guide on the differences between 302 and 301 redirects, as well as our expert recommendations for the best WordPress redirect plugins.

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