Supportsoft Glossary

Routing Traffic to Correct Web Locations

Redirects allow users or search engines to access one particular URL while still having the ability to find an alternate URL if needed. When redirecting users or search engines to another URL, you are ensuring that the users will arrive at the correct content, regardless of whether the page was moved to a different domain, renamed, or deleted. Redirects also allow for the effective management of a website, with a focus on maintaining a seamless user experience, especially during website restructuring(s), hosting migrations, and/or content development/updating.

Redirect types include 301 redirects (permanent) and 302 redirects (temporary). A 301 redirect indicates to search engines that the page is permanently moved and this allows search rankings and authority to be transferred to the new URL. Therefore, a 301 redirect prevents 404 pages from occurring and enables an ongoing flow of traffic while preserving SEO value.

Redirects are valuable for users in eliminating frustration and providing a means by which to navigate directly to the correct page, instead of having to find it manually. Redirects are beneficial to businesses because they provide a consistent method of managing a website during changes, ensuring the continued visibility of their business and maximum engagement. In order to maintain the "content hygiene" of a business, as well as to ensure the long-term health of a business's SEO programme, the correct redirect strategy must be employed.