The good news is that you can use redirects to fix broken links by rerouting traffic from old content to new web pages. In this way, you can optimize your website\u2019s structure<\/a> and avoid common front-end errors<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This post will discuss what redirects are and when you might consider using them. Then we\u2019ll give you an overview of the basic redirect types and explain how you can implement them on your website. Ready?<\/p>\n\n\n\n A redirect is a method that takes users visiting an old URL and sends them to a new page. Whenever a visitor clicks on the original URL, the redirect takes them to the relevant, updated page the site owner wants them to find instead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n One of the main reasons to use a redirect is to prevent visitors from seeing error pages. For example, if there are any broken links on your site, users may see a 404 error<\/a> instead of the content they came for. This is also known as a 404 (Page Not Found)<\/i> error:<\/p>\n\n\n After encountering a 404 message, visitors are more likely to leave<\/a> your website. This is not ideal under any circumstances. Plus, a higher bounce rate can harm your SEO.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, you can avoid these issues by using a redirect. You can send users to relevant content even after the URL changes. Here are some instances when you might need to redirect a link:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Redirects can offer many benefits, but only when used correctly. Therefore, it\u2019s important to consider some redirect best practices. That way, you can avoid common mistakes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For example, \u2018redirect chains\u2019 occur when there are multiple redirects going from the original content to the final URL. This can increase page loading time, decrease link equity, and negatively impact SEO.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If your content has a redirect loop, this means there are multiple redirects that eventually lead back to the original URL. As a result, visitors may end up waiting longer for the same error message<\/a> instead of your content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To check your website for redirect chains and loops, you can use a platform such as Screaming Frog<\/a>. This tool provides a website crawler that can audit redirects:<\/p>\n\n\n With Screaming Frog\u2019s SEO Spider<\/a>, you can bulk check your redirects<\/a>. Using this tool, you can identify any redirect loops or chains and use a new redirect to fix any problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Now that you know the basics of URL redirects, let\u2019s discuss the available different types. That way, you can choose the best option for your website.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A 301 redirect is a permanent redirect from a deleted or moved web page. This is one of the most common redirect types.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Since a 301 redirect is permanent, you\u2019ll want to use this option only when you don\u2019t need to access the original content again. When you implement a 301 redirect, its code informs search engine crawlers that certain content has been removed and no longer needs to be indexed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You should consider using a 301 redirect when:<\/p>\n\n\n\n A 301 redirect can be very useful for improving the user experience on your website. With it, you can permanently prevent users from seeing a 404 error page.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For instance, if one of your products is no longer available, you could redirect traffic to your other product collections. This can keep visitors on your website by giving them similar recommendations:<\/p>\n\n\n This tactic may also benefit your SEO. For instance, with 301 redirects, you can merge multiple pieces of thin content into a single in-depth resource. This is a smart way to repurpose content and improve underperforming web pages<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A 302 redirect is similar to a 301, except that it\u2019s a temporary redirect. It indicates that the original content has been temporarily moved to a new URL.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On the browser side (i.e., from the user\u2019s perspective), there isn\u2019t much difference between a 302 and 301 redirect. However, a 302 redirect has a different HTTP response status code. This code informs search engines not to update their links to the original resource.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Consider using a 302 redirect when:<\/p>\n\n\n\n 302 redirects can often improve user experience by keeping visitors informed about website changes and updates. For example, you could temporarily redirect to a countdown page when relaunching a product:<\/p>\n\n\n The best part about 302 redirects is that you can return to the original content at a later time. So rather than permanently preventing search engines and viewers from seeing certain pages, you can simply redirect to a temporary stand-in page.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A 303 redirect is an HTTP response status code that means \u201csee other.\u201d Similar to a 302 redirect, it is a temporary code that informs the browser and search engine that the original content was replaced with a similar resource.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The main difference between 303 and 302 redirects is that a 303 is not cacheable<\/a>. This can be useful if you don\u2019t want Google to store a certain web page over the long term.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 303 redirects are useful for rerouting after PUT<\/a> or POST request methods<\/a>. This ensures that refreshing the page doesn\u2019t trigger the redirect again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For example, you can use a 303 redirect to handle form submissions. These are commonly used to redirect to thank you pages after entries:<\/p>\n\n\n After a visitor completes the form, a 303 redirect won\u2019t allow them to use the back button to refresh the page. By using this redirect, you can avoid receiving duplicate form submissions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Another temporary option is the 307 redirect. This is a server-side redirect that informs search engines that you might change the URL in the future. What makes a 307 redirect unique is that it requires the HTTP request method to stay consistent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Although they are similar to 302 redirects, 307 redirects can be more clear. That\u2019s because a 307 redirect doesn\u2019t allow conversions from the POST to the GET request method.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You may want to use a 307 redirect when running a recurring promotion or giveaway. This can be useful for performing frequent URL updates:<\/p>\n\n\n A 307 redirect can enable you to periodically update a link\u2019s content while still using the original URL. This way, you can avoid losing any web traffic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Similar to a 301 redirect, a 308 redirect indicates that the original URL is being permanently relocated. However, 308 redirects don\u2019t allow changing the request method from POST to GET.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can use 308 redirects for all the same 301 redirect use cases, such as when permanently moving a resource to a new location. Additionally, a 308 redirect can come in handy when you\u2019re migrating a website that contains many forms created via the POST method.<\/p>\n\n\n\nAn Introduction to Redirects<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"404](\"https:\/\/www.dreamhost.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/guide-to-redirects4.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
![\"Screaming](\"https:\/\/www.dreamhost.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/guide-to-redirects6.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n6 Types of URL Redirects (And Why You Might Use Them)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
301 Redirect<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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![\"product](\"https:\/\/www.dreamhost.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/guide-to-redirects16.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n302 Redirect<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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![\"countdown](\"https:\/\/www.dreamhost.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/guide-to-redirects15.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n303 Redirect<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"form](\"https:\/\/www.dreamhost.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/guide-to-redirects12.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n307 Redirect<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"example](\"https:\/\/www.dreamhost.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/guide-to-redirects7.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n308 Redirect<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"meta](\"https:\/\/www.dreamhost.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/guide-to-redirects5.jpg\")
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