Newby question about 301 redericts

[TheKatzMeow]

I work for a design firm who has been updating a website for a client. In addition to a new look, we've consolidated redundant pages for a more streamlined site. My question is this: when I have replaced 3 somewhat redundant pages on the old site with 1 page on the new site, should I 301 redirect all the former pages to the one new page. I know this question is beyond basic but I'm pretty new to SEO, so be gentle.

[PatrickDelehanty]

Hi there

If the information from those pages moved to the new page and are still relevant, you should 301 redirect those pages.

I would also update your sitemap and upload it to Google and Bing Webmaster Tools.

I would also make sure your internal links are up to date and and that you run through your backlinks to correct backlinks to the new page URL or to remove those that are relevant/spammy.

Hope this helps! Good luck!

[TheKatzMeow]

Thanks, Patrick. I certainly do appreciate the pointers. I've never done anything with disavowing backlinks although I've heard about it. Do you do this in GWT?

[PatrickDelehanty]

Hi Paul

Yes, you would, but the vast majority of the work is done with research.

Here are some resources:
Disavow backlinks (Google)
Your Start-to-Finish Guide to Using Google's Disavow Tools (Moz)
Disavowed: Secrets of Google's Most Mysterious Tool (Moz)

Take a look at these as well as the backlink audit resources above. That should help you get started!

Hope this helps!

[TheKatzMeow]

Awesome. You've gone above and beyond! Thanks again. I look forward to digging into the details of these links just as soon as I can.

[TheKatzMeow]

Patrick,

Thanks for the info on disavowing backlinks. I'm just starting to dig into it.

Re: Running through backlinks, I read the article you referenced. It was pretty comprehensive but it wasn't clear to me how to redirect a backlink to the new page. Is this something to discuss with the person responsible for linking to you or is there a technology solution you have in mind. I feel like a bonehead having to ask, but I'm eager to learn here, so I'm ignoring the potential for looking pretty stupid and asking anyway.