Duplicate content on index.htm page

[Fatfreddy]

How do I avoid duplicate content on the index.htm page .

I need to redirect the spider from the /index.htm file to the main root of http://www.manandhisvan.com.au and hence avoid duplicate content. Does anyone know of a foolproof way of achieving this without me buggering up the complete site

Cheers

Freddy

[ChristopherGlaeser]

Add a redirect to the .htaccess file, as in:

Redirect 301 /index.htm http://www.manandhisvan.com.au

Best,
Christopher

[RyanKent]

Christopher's answer is correct if you are on an apache server.

While modifying your .htaccess file is easy, the slightest mistake can take your site offline. If you have managed hosting (most people do) I would suggest asking your web host to make the change. It should be free and easy for them.

You may also consider dropping the .htm from your site's pages. The technology extension is not helpful and just lengthens the URL.

[Fatfreddy]

Thanks Ryan, I like the bit about contacting the web hosting company to make the change. Last thing I want to do is %^&$ up the whole site. I tested the .htaccess on a test site and, as you said, it took the site offline.

I will investigate the dropping of the .hml  extensions, however; the site is well placed on google so , again, i don't really want to risk any adverse change.

cheers

Michael

[Fatfreddy]

Thanks

That code looks very easy but I tested it on a "test" site and the site went off-line.

Now I am too scared to test it on the main site. I will contact the hosting company as Ryan suggested.

Cheers