Website Redirects Explained: 6 Checks When Page URLs Change
Changing a page’s web address? Help old links reach the right place. This short video explains six points, with written steps and practical notes below.
1:47 · No narration: the video shows each step as text on screen, and every step is written out below, with buttons that jump the video to it.
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The six points in the video
The video is silent. These are its on-screen headings, explanations and labels, followed by supporting notes.
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Step 1: List the old addresses
Record the pages people may already have linked.
On-screen labels: Existing pages; Useful old links; Current destinations.
Include addresses used in menus, printed material, external links and useful existing pages. Keep the original URL in your change record.
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Step 2: Choose a relevant replacement
Send people to the closest matching content.
On-screen labels: Same customer need; Relevant new page; Useful destination.
Match the old visitor need to the closest useful replacement. Sending every removed page to the home page can leave people without the information they wanted.
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Step 3: Identify a permanent move
301 and 308 indicate a permanent relocation.
On-screen labels: Permanent move; Server response; Correct destination.
HTTP 301 and 308 responses indicate a permanent move. Choose the correct implementation for the system and the intended change.
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Step 4: Keep the route direct
Avoid unnecessary chains between old and new pages.
On-screen labels: Old address; Direct route; Final destination.
Aim for a direct route to the final destination. Unnecessary redirect chains add work and make troubleshooting harder.
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Step 5: Update links you control
Point your own links at the new address.
On-screen labels: Menus; Page links; Sitemap entries.
Update menus, body links and sitemap entries to the new address. The redirect still helps people following old links you cannot change.
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Step 6: Test both addresses
Check the redirect and the final page together.
On-screen labels: Old URL response; New page loads; Content still fits.
Check the old address’s response and the final page’s content. Detect loops, broken destinations and irrelevant replacements before relying on the change.
A practical check for your business
Keep a simple old-to-new URL map before a redesign. Test the response from each important old address and check that it reaches relevant, working content. Update links you control so visitors do not need an unnecessary redirect.
Sources and further detail
Common questions
Can all old pages redirect to the home page?
Choose a relevant replacement for each old page where one exists. A home-page redirect may not serve the visitor’s original need.
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