Home
>
Web Design
>
Web Site Redirection - How to Implement a 301 Redirect

Web Site Redirection - How to Implement a 301 Redirect

You just created a new web site but want to pass on the search engine rankings of the old one to the new one. What is the most effective and spider/visitor friendly strategy to implement your web site redirection? You should use a 301 redirect.

What is a 301 redirect?

It is used when you want to redirect your web site or web pages. The code "301" is interpreted as "moved permanently". After the code, the URL of the missing or renamed page is noted, followed by a space, then followed by the new location or file name.

Requirements for using a 301 redirect

Apache server.
Most hosting services used these days have Apache servers. Check with your host if you are not sure.

.htaccess file
When a search engine spider requests a web page, your web server will check for an .htaccess file. The .htaccess file contains specific directions that are processed then sent back to the browser.

How do I implement a 301 redirect?

1. Create an .htaccess file - you can use Notepad to create the file. Remember to insert a period at the beginning of the file name with no extension at the end (ie .htaccess).

2. Create a line of code that reads like this:

Redirect permanent / http://www.domainname.com/

The first "/" indicates that everything from the top level of the site down should be redirected.

All current links within the search engine results from the old site will redirect to the top level of your new site.

If you already have an .htaccess file on your server, open it up in Notepad and look for lines of code that are there. If lines of code are present, don't change any of them but leave a space, then insert the above 301 redirect code.

3. Save the .htaccess file to your root directory and upload it to your server.

4. Test it out by typing in the old web site address. You should immediately be redirected to your new web site address.

Redirecting a Web Page

The above example shows how to redirect a whole web site. What if you want to just redirect a web page that you have changed but want to keep the rankings of the old page?

Follow the same steps as above but write the code like this:

redirect 301 /old/old.htm http://www.you.com/new.htm

/old/old.htm (the original folder path and file name)

http://www.you.com/new.htm (new path and file name)

Note:
When the search engine spiders visit your old web site or web pages, they will automatically be redirected to the new web site or web page.

Conclusion:
It may take several weeks or months for the old rankings to be passed on to the new site. Therefore don't remove your old domain name, web site or web pages just yet.

Herman Drost is the Certified Internet Webmaster (CIW) owner and author of http://www.isitebuild.com - Affordable Web Site Design and Web Hosting. Subscribe to his "Marketing Tips" newsletter for more original articles. http://www.isitebuild.com. Read more of his in-depth articles at: http://www.isitebuild.com

recurring maid service Buffalo Grove ..

In The News:

The iconic Mary Kay pink Cadillac goes electric with the Cadillac Optiq, available only to the company's top 1% of sales force performers.

Cybercriminals abuse trusted Intel driver to gain kernel access and shut down Windows Defender, enabling undetected malware deployment since July 2025.

Using email aliases for online shopping and subscriptions can protect your privacy by preventing companies from linking your activity across websites.

New research shows AI overlap does not equal job replacement, with knowledge-based roles seeing most integration while physical jobs remain least affected.

Scammers target seniors who avoid social media by exploiting public records like obituaries and real estate filings to steal personal information and money

Recovery team in Italy use AI-enabled drones to detect missing hiker's red helmet, leading to successful recovery after months of ground searches

Google Salesforce system breach exposes business data while scammers use incident to target users with fake security calls and phishing attempts.

Google announces Pixel 10 lineup with Tensor G5 chip and Gemini Nano AI, introducing Magic Cue, Pro Res Zoom up to 100x and satellite emergency support features.

C San Diego study reveals 86% of school safety companies monitor students 24/7 on personal devices, raising privacy concerns.

Users can now add their favorite outlets' coverage to the Top Stories section of Google search results by utilizing the 'preferred sources' feature. With just a few clicks, you can add Fox News.

Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.

Interstellar object 3I/ATLAS shows an unexpected frontal glow that Harvard's Avi Loeb says cannot be explained by sunlight reflection or standard cometary outgassing.

Receiving order confirmations for purchases you never made could mean your email address is being exploited in fraud operations targeting multiple retailers.

First wireless brain implant works with Apple's official protocol, enabling hands-free control of iPhones, iPads and Vision Pro through thought alone.

Data brokers sell personal details that scammers use to target retirement funds through fake financial advisor calls and convincing phishing attempts

Ten innovative tech solutions from gait sensors to smart pill dispensers help adults 65+ track fall risks and prevent injuries before they happen.

Meta AI internal documents revealed chatbots were allowed to flirt with children and engage in romantic conversations until the company was exposed by Reuters.

ChatGPT will avoid giving direct mental health advice under new OpenAI rules following instances where the AI model provided harmful or misleading responses.

Your phone tracks you in more ways than that little GPS icon suggests. Here’s how to find and clear hidden location logs on iPhone and Android.

Authorities in France and the Netherlands have been notified. Meanwhile, impacted customers are being told to stay alert.

Apple just rolled out a redesigned Blood Oxygen feature to specific models, following a recent victory in a legal dispute.

Kidney dialysis provider DaVita experienced a ransomware breach by the Interlock gang affecting 916,000 people in the second-largest U.S. healthcare attack of 2025.

A Chinese-made Unitree R1 robot walked Manhattan streets and shopped for shoes as part of KraneShares' $28 million AI robotics fund promotion campaign.

The ShinyHunters cybercriminal group breached Google's Salesforce system through vishing attacks, stealing business contact details and customer data.

Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.

Web Site Redirection - How to Implement a 301 Redirect

Web Design