Wordpress and Redirects?

[cschwartzel]

I want to update my permalinks - actually I want to change the URL's to fit the content and keywords better. I can choose "edit" the URL, but don't I need a redirect? I don't see any htaccess Plugin installed.......is that what I need to be able to change my URL's in Wordpress?

[Whebb]

Hello,

Yes, if your pages are indexed and you want to change the URLs then a 301 redirect is your best bet. Edit the URL on the page or post you are looking to edit. Then add the redirect to the .htaccess file. You may need to create one to add to the root directory of your wordpress install. The general .htaccess file looks like this.

BEGIN WordPress

RewriteEngine On

RewriteBase /

RewriteRule ^index.php$ - [L]

RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME} !-f

RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME} !-d

RewriteRule . /index.php [L]

END WordPress

Just add in the redirect to the end of this file. It could look something like..

redirect 301 /old-page http://www.something.com/new-page

Then you should be all set.

[john4math]

I think you could use a redirect plugin for this, for example this one here.  This way you don't have to manually edit .htaccess.  Just make sure the resulting URLs are using 301 redirects.  It looks like there are a lot of plugins for this, so try a few out and see which you like the best!

As you change your URLs, keep track of the old and new URL mappings, and add those redirects to the plugin.

[evolvingSEO]

I agree John this is the most user friendly way to do the redirects. The only thing I would add is - shut OFF the features which automatically adds redirects when you change URLs. It sounds like a nice feature, but it can get confusing because I found it to do them automatically a little too aggressively. Best to use the plugin but keep it on manual.

[evolvingSEO]

Thanks for that! Just want to add for Courtney - if she uses Yoast SEO plugin, you can also edit .htaccess right in wordpress without having to FTP.

[Saijo.George]

Try this plugin : http://wordpress.org/plugins/change-permalink-helper/

I have had good success with it . As with any plugins test it out after you deploy .. there might be conflicts with other plugins or with the theme you are using

[StephenForde]

I recommend you learn the correct way of 301 redirects as it's handy with other CMS like Joomla or Drupal etc.

Hopefully you're using cpanel. Login to Cpanel, go to redirects tab. Create the redirect. When using Wordpress, you won't see any changes. Go back to Cpanel home and login to File Manager. Ensure to select view hidden files.

In File Manger select edit code .htacccess.

From here you will see the redirect code thnat you created in Cpanel a moment ago at the bottom. Cut and Paste this and move

It will look like this:

BEGIN WordPress

<ifmodule mod_rewrite.c="">RewriteEngine On
RewriteBase /
RewriteRule ^index.php$ - [L]
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME} !-f
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME} !-d
RewriteRule . /index.php [L]</ifmodule>

END WordPress

RewriteCond %{HTTP_HOST} ^yourdomain.com$ [OR]
RewriteCond %{HTTP_HOST} ^www.yourdomain.com$
RewriteRule ^sample-page/$ "http://www.yourdomain.com/" [R=301,L]

You now need to move the rewrite so it appears above #BEGIN WordPress, like below. Presto. 301s work. You don;t need to worry about plugins breaking etc.

RewriteCond %{HTTP_HOST} ^yourdomain.com$ [OR]
RewriteCond %{HTTP_HOST} ^www.yourdomain.com$
RewriteRule ^sample-page/$ "http://www.yourdomain.com/" [R=301,L]

BEGIN WordPress

<ifmodule mod_rewrite.c="">RewriteEngine On
RewriteBase /
RewriteRule ^index.php$ - [L]
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME} !-f
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME} !-d
RewriteRule . /index.php [L]</ifmodule>

END WordPress

[MoosaHemani]

Highly suggest the idea by Dan... Yoast SEO is the great plugin!

[cschwartzel]

All great answers guys! Thanks. Still a little confused which way to go, as it seems I have a few options. I already have Yoast installed. Where is the htaccess in wordpress?

I think I need to learn the correct way also as big spin suggests. I have been writing content for over a year, but 301's is something I haven't mastered yet.

[evolvingSEO]

Hi Courtney

It should be under Yoast->Edit Files -- see this screenshot. If it's not there, are you using some sort of special host for WordPress? You're using WordPress.ORG (not .com)?

I agree that its good for you to learn, but .htaccess is something that can take down your site with one misplaced character, so I would be careful if you're going to edit it. Have a friend you can call on who might know how to fix it if something goes awry. Also, you should have FTP access readily available, in case it does break, that's how you're going to get in and fix it.

Certainly not discouraging you from learning it - just be careful and have FTP access in case you need it!

-Dan

[Christy-Correll]

Hi Courtney! Did you see Dan's response to your question?

[StephenForde]

Access .htaccess via Cpanel > File Manager (select view hidden files) or use and FTP program. Don;t rely on yoast. Not everyone uses Wordpress or yoast. Also Yoast can break with wp updates.