A URL redirect allows you to forward traffic from an old URL to a new one. These can be used to send visitors to a new page if they click on an outdated URL. This article will go over when to use a redirect and how to set them up in your Pixieset Website's SEO Manager.

Note: URL redirects are an upgraded feature available on the Pro Website Plan or Pro/Ultimate Suite Plan.

On this page:

• When to use a URL redirect
• Choosing the redirect type
  • 301 redirects (permanent)
  • 302 redirects (temporary)
• Creating a redirect
• Using wildcards in redirects
• Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

When to use a URL redirect

A URL redirect forwards visitors from inactive pages to active ones on your website. This helps minimize broken links which can impact your SEO. Whenever you need to make permanent or temporary changes to site pages, you can have a redirect in place so visitors are always pointed to the right information.

Here are some common scenarios where a redirect can be helpful:

• Migrating content from another platform: If you switch your site from another provider, previously indexed URLs may lead visitors to a 404 error. Set up redirects to ensure returning visitors and search engines find your new website.
• Removing or renaming pages: Updating your Services page or retiring a landing page? Use a redirect to send visitors to the most relevant content instead of a dead link.
• Restructuring your website: When you change your site’s URL structure for better navigation or improved SEO, a redirect preserves your site traffic and search engine visibility during the transition.
• Creating vanity links: Redirect a shortened URL slug to a lengthier URL slug. This is helpful if you want to create a concise and memorable URL to promote an existing site page for marketing purposes.
• Addressing typos: Catch common misspellings and use a redirect so visitors still land in the right place.

Tip: Set up redirects before removing or renaming any live pages, especially if those URLs have been shared publicly or appear in search engine results.

Choosing the redirect type

301 redirects (permanent)

A 301 redirect signals to search engines that the old page no longer exists, and your SEO ranking is to be transferred to the new page. You can have a 301 redirect if you need to:

• Restructure your URLs
• Permanently migrate a website
• Remove outdated or duplicate content

Example: I am migrating my website to Pixieset. I want to redirect a /about-us page from my previous site to the /about page on my new site, so visitors don’t land on broken pages.

302 redirects (temporary)

A 302 redirect signals to search engines that a page is temporarily unavailable and that its SEO ranking should remain unchanged. You can have a 302 redirect if you need to:

• Display a short-term maintenance page
• Promote a temporary sales campaign
• Share seasonal or event-specific content

Example: I want to direct all traffic from my indexed /fall-sessions landing page to my current promotion at /summer-sessions. I plan to use /fall-sessions again next year.

Creating a redirect

Easily set up a 301 or 302 redirect in Pixieset Website that points your old links to relevant webpages:

1. Go to SEO Manager > URL Redirects.
2. Select Add Redirect.
3. Choose your redirect type (301 or 302).
4. Paste your outdated URL in the Old URL field.
5. Paste or select your new URL in the New URL field.
6. Click Create.
7. Publish your site to make the redirect go live.

Note: After you re-publish your site, you can test your redirect immediately by opening the old URL in a private browsing session.

Using wildcards in redirects

Wildcards allow you to apply a redirect to multiple URLs that share a common path. This is especially helpful if you are updating a specific part of your URL that impacts related pages, like your blog posts.

Example: I want all pages that are under /journal/ (like /journal/family-sessions ) to redirect to /blog/ (like /blog/family-sessions).

To set up a bulk URL redirect:

1. Go to SEO Manager > URL Redirects.
2. Select Add Redirect.
3. Choose your redirect type (301 or 302).
4. Paste your outdated URL in the Old URL field followed by an asterisk (e.g. /journal/*)
5. Paste your new URL in the New URL field followed by an asterisk. (e.g. /blog/* )
6. Click Create.
7. Publish your site to make the redirects go live.

Note: After you re-publish your site, you can test your redirect immediately by opening the old URL in a private browsing session.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

• Why does my browser keep redirecting after removing a 301 redirect?
• Can I switch between a 301 and a 302 redirect?
• How can I test if a redirect is working?

Why does my browser keep redirecting after removing a 301 redirect?

Browsers cache 301 redirects to improve performance. If you recently deleted a redirect but it appears to still be in place redirects, clear your browser cache or test using a private (incognito) session.

Can I switch between a 301 and a 302 redirect?

No. If you need to change the redirect type, you will need to delete your original redirect and create a new one.

Before you remove a redirect, remember to check that your new redirect type is appropriate. Remember:

• A 301 tells search engines the change is permanent and transfers SEO value.
• A 302 tells search engines the change is temporary and keeps the original page’s ranking.

How can I test if a redirect is working?

Open the old URL in a private (incognito) session. This helps you confirm the redirect without cached data affecting the results.