Hi.
A client runs Woocommerce platform selling clothing. This clothing is seasonal and 95% of the stock, once it sells out is never restocked with the exception of a few core items that cross over season to season.
What I want to know is, whats the best way to handle items that are out of stock and never coming back?
I see a few options:
- delete it. Losing its rank and indexed link.
- 301 it back to the "brands" page or the "category" page. Eg. a Armani T-Shirt can go to either Armani page or T-Shirts page keeping it relevant.
- Just leave the old products there saying out of stock.
All have benefits to the business.
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Delete it. Its gone. No more trouble, extra work involved, keeps out CMS clean.
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Obviously good for SEO? Also good for customer to go to a relevant page. But do we end up with loads of links to manage increasing costs if a developer needs to do the work?
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Easiest but defo not the right option.
So what is it? Is 301'ing really worth the hassle? Is it possible bearing in mind we have 500 items every 6 months going out of stock?
Who 301's it? Is it possible for staff to do it in Woocommerce or does a developer have to do them everytime you need to 301 a product?
What is your advise on what to do and how to do it?
Thanks