Search Engine Optimization All-In-One For Dummies®

Chapter 4. Implementing 301 Redirects

In This Chapter

• Redirecting a page to a new URL

• Creating 301 redirects on an Apache server

• Implementing 301 redirects in Microsoft IIS

• Setting up 301 redirects in ISAPI_Rewrite

• Accomplishing 301 redirects using header inserts

• Moving a site to a new host

Redirects are HTML or server commands that automatically forward incoming links and users from one page's URL to another URL, which is an extremely useful Web site-maintenance technique.

Of the four types of redirects we covered in the previous chapter (301, 302, Meta Refresh, and JavaScript redirect), only the 301 redirect passes the test for search engine optimization (SEO) friendliness. In this chapter, we cover how to set up 301 redirects and show you some specific situations that call for them. Because a lot of this explanation involves step-by-step instructions, we give a set of instructions for each server. Your server is the software that runs your Web site. The server receives and "serves up" user requests to display pages or perform other site tasks.

If you aren't sure what type of server your site runs on, ask your Webmaster or your hosting provider (the service where your Web site is physically hosted).

Getting the Details on How 301 Redirects Work

The 301 redirect tells the search engine that the page at location A has permanently moved to location B. It says that one URL is forever replaced by another URL, like www.shoe-site.com/oldpage.htm has moved to www.shoe-site.com/newpage.htm, which ...