Significance of SEO Redirects for WordPress Websites
Redirects are URL transfers, which direct users from a requested page to a new destination URL. There are several reasons for users get redirected –
- The website is being transferred to another domain
- iPhone, tablet, or Smartphone requests get redirected to a special mobile-friendly website
- Temporary redirect is needed, when site maintenance is scheduled
- Changes in the sites’ file structure
- For updating web pages with new information
There are some other technical changes that require redirects. For example, in sub-domain WWW added before the main domain has become rare, but many users are unaware and they type it before every address. The redirects of WWW to URL without it are useful to avoid duplicate content, or use challenges in identifying URL data. The same situation applies to redirects of HTTP to an HTTPS site.
The 301 redirect WordPress plugin is the best because it is simple to install, easily navigable, and configurable. It improves your WordPress website’s SEO results and user experience.
Understand the difference between two main forms of redirects is crucial for SEO
The 300 status codes are applied especially for HTTP redirects, where the users are instantly redirected before being delivered to any specific page. Alternatively, on redirects that are conducted with JavaScript or PHP, the requested page gets called first. The page shows the forwarding code and the redirect occurs after reading this forwarding code.
Technically, 301 status codes make a server-side redirect, which means that the URL is moved permanently. The search engines index this message. Users will not be aware of this, unless they pay close attention to the address-line on their browser.
If 301 redirects are not applied, users get an unpleasant 401 error message, it means page not found. The key benefit of HTTP WP 301 redirect is that the new page inherits the page and backlink value from the old one.
This is valuable for the overall domain performance that accounts for improving your ranking on search engines. For example, if the page where you collect emails for building your lead list is not working up to your expectations, then you can use a new landing page to try out new strategies. Redirects can come real handy for such tests.
The 302 redirects are only for temporary cases. The search engines are instructed not to delete existing data, because the redirect is temporary. There will be no influence on Google ranking with temporary forwarding.
Why use the WP 301 Redirect plugin?
It is a specific plugin designed especially for WordPress sites. The redirect codes are written in PHP programming language, which will seamlessly integrate with your WP site.
The most useful feature of this tool is that the 301 redirects get automatically added, when your old URL in WP gets changed. There are other features like 404 error tracking and customized redirect methods [301, 302, or 307], which can be helpful for wider SEO purposes.
The bottom-line is that WP 301 redirects are very essential, and are a smart move from both, search engine and users. No one wishes to lose current traffic and their efforts made to earn a top SEO ranking. At the same time, you will want to help your followers by redirecting them to the new domain or URL.
