Advice on redirects for a category I want to reuse.

[neil_stickergizmo]

Hi,

We have a current category set up that is starting to rank OK but we are going through a site re-build and this category URL will now better describe a new category of products.

My dilemma is if I 301 redirect the current url to my new category I won't be able to use the URL for the new one. But if I don't redirect it will the pages that have already been ranked under this url then confuse customers and search engines.

For example - Products and sub-categories under the URL /personalised-toys will now become /personalised-toys-for-boys but I want to use the /personalised-toys URL for a different set of sub categories and products.

Any assistance or ideas or just definitely don't do it in a particular way would be greatly appreciated

[JohnSammon]

Hey Neil!

I assume that /personalise-toys will be a more general category that will link to new more specific categories like /personalised-toys-for-boys right?

If that's the case, I would just change the content on the more general category to the new content/products that you have with the new site (rather than 301 redirect). The equity would be transferred to the more general category which lists products relevant to it. So if someone Googled it, they would still be able to find what they are looking for. The equity that you've built up with the more general URL will be passed to the new URLs that you create and link to (I assume) in the new iteration of the website.

[neil_stickergizmo]

Thanks John, much appreciated. I think this could work. The only thing is the current sub categories won't be sitting under the previous more general category. In most cases it is these sub-categories that are actually better ranked than the main category as they are more specific.

If I created a new general category and effectively moved the current sub-categories to this new one with the 301 redirects for them that would still free up the main category url I need and then keep the equity built up in my sub categories?

[JohnSammon]

Hey Neil - I think if you went this way you would be okay. You may see a short-term drop from the redirect but the majority of the equity would be transferred. User experience is always important in Google's mind so if you follow that for the new website structure and URL structure (along with the 301's) you should be okay. I hope that helps!

[neil_stickergizmo]

Thanks Sam, I will keep my fingers crossed Google like the new structure, but importantly it is going to be a better experience for the user.