301 Redirects: How to Set Up a Permanent Redirect in WordPress

Key highlights

• Learn what a 301 redirect is and why it’s essential for preserving SEO and user experience during site changes.
• Explore multiple ways to create a 301 redirect across platforms like WordPress, Shopify, Magento, Apache, Nginx and CDNs.
• Compare 301 redirects with other types like 302, 307, meta refresh and JavaScript to choose the right method.
• Discover when to use 301 redirects, whether you’re deleting a page, updating URLs, consolidating domains or launching a new site.
• Follow expert tips to avoid redirect mistakes, fix broken links and maintain your site’s rankings during transitions. 

Is your website ready for change, but your traffic isn’t? Delivering exceptional service often means refining business processes to align with customer needs. Likewise, your site may need to evolve—whether to reflect new offerings, improve performance or enhance user experience. 

If you skip 301 redirects, those improvements can backfire and result in broken links, frustrated users and lost SEO rankings. That’s why understanding how to set up 301 redirects is critical. 

In this guide, we’ll explore everything about SEO and 301 redirects: why they matter, how they work and when to choose a 301 vs 302 redirect to protect your rankings.

What is a 301 redirect?   

A 301 redirect permanently sends traffic from one URL to another. It tells users and search engines that the original page has been moved. It further guides visitors to the correct destination while preserving the page’s SEO ranking and authority. This prevents the dreaded 404 error (HTTP status code) and allows users to access your content. 

Types of redirects

Redirects are crucial for maintaining both your website’s user experience and its SEO performance. Each type of redirect serves a different purpose and choosing the right one can make a big difference in how search engines and visitors interact with your site. 

Here’s a quick overview of the most common types of redirects:

Metric	301	302	307	Meta refresh	JavaScript
Type	Permanent	Temporary	Temporary (HTTP 1.1)	Client-side	Client-side
SEO-friendly	✅ Yes	⚠️ Limited	⚠️ Limited	❌ No	❌ No
Passes link equity	✅ Yes	❌ No	❌ No	❌ No	❌ No
Ideal use case	Site moves, URL updates	Temporary campaigns	Temporary form redirects	Timed page refresh	SPA routing, fallback logic
Best for	WordPress, Apache, Nginx	Shopify, WordPress	Developers	Legacy or low-control setups	Advanced users

Let’s check all redirect types in more detail: 

1. 301 – Moved permanently 

This is the go-to redirect for SEO. It permanently moves a page to a new URL and passes nearly all of the original page’s link equity to the new destination. 

2. 302 – Found (temporary redirect) 

Use a 302 redirect when you want to temporarily point users to a different URL. Search engines typically don’t pass link equity with this redirect, assuming the original URL will return. 

3. 307 – Moved temporarily (HTTP 1.1) 

Similar to a 302 but used specifically with HTTP 1.1 standards. It’s useful when maintaining the request method (GET/POST) is critical, such as for forms or dynamic actions. 

4. Meta refresh 

This is a client-side redirect that refreshes the page after a set number of seconds. Meta refreshes are not ideal for SEO and often result in poor user experience. Use them sparingly and avoid long delays. 

5. JavaScript redirect 

A redirect triggered via JavaScript code on the page. While it works for users, search engines may not always follow it reliably. It should only be used when server-side options aren’t available. 

Need an easy way to set up 301 redirects in WordPress? Get Bluehost WordPress hosting and get Yoast SEO plugin & built-in Redirect Manager with selected plans.

301 vs 302 redirect: What’s the difference?

While 301 redirects are generally the best choice for maintaining SEO value, there are specific scenarios where using a 302 redirect makes more sense.

A 301 redirect signals that a page has been permanently moved. It passes link equity to the target URL and tells search engines to update their index accordingly. This makes it ideal for site migrations, permalink changes and consolidating duplicate content. 

However, a 302 redirect is useful in temporary situations where you don’t want search engines to pass SEO value or update the URL in their index. Consider a 302 redirect when: 

• You’re launching a new site in phases and temporarily redirecting traffic from old pages.
• You’re sending users through login or checkout gateways where SEO isn’t a concern.
• You’ve published a temporary holding page and don’t want to signal a permanent redirect from a high-value page to a placeholder. 

Choosing the right redirect type helps search engines interpret your site’s structure correctly. It also ensures users reach the right content without losing ranking potential. 

Not sure if your current redirects are helping or hurting your SEO? Run your site through the Bluehost Website SEO Checker to uncover hidden redirect issues, broken links or missed SEO opportunities.

How does a 301 redirect work?

A 301 redirect tells browsers and search engines that a page has permanently moved to a new location. Behind the scenes, the process is fast and seamless. Here’s a simplified breakdown of how it works:

Step 1: The client makes a request

Let’s say a visitor tries to open a page that has been redirected. Their browser sends this request to the server:

GET /old-url/ HTTP/2
Host: www.[example].com

Step 2: The server responds with a 301 status

The server recognizes that the requested page has been moved permanently. It responds with a 301 redirect and tells the browser where to go instead:

HTTP/2 301
Location: https://www.[example].com/new-url/

Step 3: The client follows the redirect

Now the browser sends a new request to the updated page URL:

GET /new-url/ HTTP/2
Host: www.[example].com

Step 4: The server serves the new content

The server confirms everything is working and sends back the page content:

HTTP/2 200

From the user’s perspective, all of this happens instantly, usually in a fraction of a second. But it ensures they land on the correct page, and search engines update their index accordingly.

How to set up 301 redirects in WordPress sites?

You have several options to pick from when setting up 301 redirects in WordPress website. For example, you can use cPanel, write a PHP script or use a 301 redirect WordPress plugin. Here are the four main methods to create a 301 redirect in WordPress: 

1. Use cPanel
2. Write a PHP script
3. Use the Yoast SEO plugin
4. Use Redirection plugin 

Let’s explore each method in more detail.

Method 1: Use cPanel   

If you’d prefer not to risk issues with the .htaccess file, the cPanel method is a safer alternative. Here’s how to access and use cPanel to create a permanent 301 redirect WordPress setup without editing core files:    

1. Access your hosting dashboard (we’re using Bluehost). Scroll down and open cPanel from the ‘Quick Links’ section. 

2. The cPanel page below will open. Scroll down to the ‘Domains’ section and open the ‘Redirects’ page. 

3. The Redirects page should be visible now.

4. On that page, fill in the information for your redirect like this:  

• Type: Select Permanent redirect on WordPress.  
• Https?://(www.)?: Select your preferred domain.  
• /: Enter the end of the original URL. This is the page you wish to deflect traffic from. For instance, if the source URL is “https://[example].com/old-content,” you would enter “old-content.”  
• Redirects to: Enter the full URL of the new destination.

5. Select the option to Redirect with or without www. and add the new redirect. 

Your 301 redirect should now be live. 

Method 2: Write a PHP script   

PHP is a server-side programming language and stands for PHP: Hypertext Preprocessor. Developers use it to build dynamic websites. Since it runs on the server, PHP offers secure 301 redirect implementations.  

Here’s how to create a 301 redirect in WordPress using PHP:  

1. Open the ‘File Manager’ of the website you wish to manage. Create a new file and name it “redirects.php,” as shown in the image below. 

2. After creating the file, right-click on it and select Edit. A file editor will launch. Copy and paste the following redirect code into the editor:

<?php
// OldContent.php  
header(“HTTP/1.1 301 Moved Permanently”);  
header(“Location: https://www.[example].com/new-content/”);  
exit();  
?>

3. Change “OldContent” to the file name for the page you’re updating and “https://www.[example].com/new-content/” to the target URL you wish to use. Save the changes and close the editor. 

4. To make sure everything’s working, go to your browser’s address bar, type in the source URL and press ‘Enter’. You’ll be redirected to the new URL you provided in the header function.     

You can also add this header function at the beginning of any PHP file you want to redirect instead of creating a new file. Remember to ensure the redirect code takes the first line at the top.

Also read: How to Fix Issues with PHP Redirects    

Method 3: Use the Yoast SEO plugin  

The Yoast SEO Premium plugin offers a convenient solution for setting up 301 redirects in WordPress. With its built-in Redirect Manager, Yoast SEO plugin lends a hand whenever you change the URL of a post, page or taxonomy. This can otherwise lead to those 404 errors if not redirected properly. 

The Redirection Manager automatically generates 301 redirects in WordPress when you delete or relocate pages, keeping your visitors seamlessly connected.  

Here’s how to locate and use the Redirect Manager in the Yoast SEO Premium plugin: 

1. Go to your WordPress dashboard.
2. Navigate to the ‘Yoast SEO’ tab on the left side panel and select ‘Redirects’.

3. Now, on the new page, select the type of redirect you wish to apply for the Redirect Manager.
4. Enter the old URL that you want to redirect. You can use either the absolute URL (for example, https://www.[example].com/contact/) or simply the path as a relative URL (for example, /contact/).
5. Enter the new URL where you want the original URL to redirect. This can be either the full URL (for example, https://www.[example].com/contact/) or the relative path (for example, /contact/).
6. Click the “Add Redirect” button. The Redirect Manager will verify if the redirect is valid.
7. Once created, the redirect will appear in the overview section below the Redirect Manager.  

There are other 301 redirect WordPress plugins that help you redirect multiple URLs to the same destination URL. 

Also read: How to Purchase Yoast SEO Premium from Bluehost Marketplace  

Method 4: Use Redirection plugin  

Another effective way to create a 301 redirect in WordPress is by using the Redirection plugin. To begin, install and activate this redirect plugin from your WordPress dashboard.  

Note: While using a 301 redirect WordPress plugin to set up 301 redirects is straightforward, it may have a slight impact on performance. Depending on your hosting provider, redirects could be a few microseconds slower than other methods.  

1. Once the Redirection plugin is installed, go to ‘Tools’ in the left navigation panel of your WordPress dashboard, then select ‘Redirection’. Click the ‘Start Setup’ button. 

2. Next, you’ll see options to track permalink changes and keep a log of your redirects and 404 errors. You can simply enable these options and click the ‘Continue’ button. 

3. The Redirection plugin will automatically test the Rest API, and when the status shows as ‘Good,’ click the ‘Finish Setup’ button to proceed. 

4. Redirection will then complete its setup tasks and once the progress bar hits 100%, click ‘Continue,’ followed by the ‘Ready to Begin’ button. 

5. Now you’re set to start creating 301 redirects. Click on ‘Add New’ button on the top. Enter the URLs in the Source URL (the old page) and the Target URL field (where you want to redirect traffic). After filling in all the details, simply click the ‘Add Redirect’ button and your redirection is live. 

There are other WordPress plugins like Easy Redirect Manager that you can use for 301 redirect WordPress. 

How to set up 301 redirects in Apache (.htaccess file)? 

Hypertext Access or .htaccess file configures Apache web servers to behave in a desired way. Here, we’ll use it to set up 301 redirects, so the web server permanently redirects traffic to a different URL from the existing page.    

Note: Editing a .htaccess file is a manual process, which means you can make mistakes. Therefore, ensure you create a backup of your entire website by copying all the files to a safe location beforehand. This way, you’ll have a restore point if something breaks. 

Let’s walk through how to access and edit the .htaccess redirect using File Manager:

Access .htaccess file from File Manager

To create 301 WordPress redirects via the .htaccess file, follow these steps. We’ll use Bluehost as an example, but the process is similar for most hosting providers:

1. Head over to your Bluehost Account Manager. Then, enter your username and password to login.

2. Now, navigate to the left-side panel and click on ‘Hosting’. It has a list of all your websites. Then, open the ‘Settings’ page of the website you wish to manage. 

3. Open the ‘File Manager’ from the ‘Quick Links’ section. 

4. The page below will be displayed. It lists all the files your WordPress website needs to run. Locate the ‘.htaccess’ file and right-click on it to edit.
5. If a prompt appears requesting you to change the encoding options, continue editing without changing anything.

Can’t find the .htaccess file?   

1. Ensure you’re in the ‘public_html’ folder. You can find it in the folder list on the left column in the image above.
2. Check that hidden files are visible. Open ‘Settings’ from the top-right corner, check the ‘Show hidden files (dotfiles)’ option and save the changes.

With the .htaccess file open, you can now add 301 redirect rules. Let’s look at the most common examples you may need.

1. Redirect an old page to a new page

In the .htaccess file Editor, add the following text after the last line: ‘# END WordPress’.

RewriteEngine On
Redirect 301 /old-content/ https://[example].com/new-content/

Replace old content with the original destination URL (old URL) and new content with the new destination URL. Save your changes and close the editor. 

2. Redirect an old domain to a new domain

If you’ve rebranded or migrated your website to a different domain, you can redirect all traffic from your old domain to the new one using the following code:

RewriteEngine On
RewriteCond %{HTTP_HOST} ^oldsite.com [NC,OR]
RewriteCond %{HTTP_HOST} ^www.[oldsite].com [NC]
RewriteRule ^(.*)$ https://[newsite].com/$1 [L,R=301,NC]

Note: If ‘RewriteEngine On’ already exists in your .htaccess file, don’t repeat it. Just copy the remaining lines. 

You can also set this up through cPanel, which is often easier and safer if you’re not familiar with Apache configuration.

3. Redirect domain from non-www to www (and vice versa)

To maintain consistent branding, choose either the www or non-www version of your domain and redirect all traffic accordingly.

Non-www to www:

RewriteEngine On
RewriteCond %{HTTP_HOST} ^example.com [NC]
RewriteRule ^(.*)$ http://www.[example].com/$1 [L,R=301,NC]

www to non-www:

RewriteEngine On
RewriteCond %{HTTP_HOST} ^www.[example].com [NC]
RewriteRule ^(.*)$ http://[example].com/$1 [L,R=301,NC]

Important: Be mindful of the order in which multiple redirects appear in your .htaccess file. Poor placement can lead to unwanted redirect chains or conflicts. 

4. Redirect entire domain from HTTP to HTTPS

If your site has an SSL certificate installed (which it should), redirecting all HTTP traffic to HTTPS is essential for security and SEO. Here’s how:

RewriteEngine On
RewriteCond %{HTTPS} off
RewriteRule ^(.*)$ https://%{HTTP_HOST}%{REQUEST_URI} [L,R=301]

Google uses HTTPS as a confirmed ranking signal, so redirecting to HTTPS also supports your SEO performance. 

Tip: Always make sure your SSL certificate is active. Without it, users will see a “Not secure” warning in their browser when visiting your site.

5. Redirect domain from non-www to www and HTTP to HTTPS

Want to do both at once? Here’s how to redirect entire website traffic to the ‘https://www.’ version of your domain: 

RewriteEngine On
RewriteCond %{HTTP_HOST} !^www\. [NC]
RewriteRule ^ https://www.%{HTTP_HOST}%{REQUEST_URI} [L,R=301]

RewriteCond %{HTTP:X-Forwarded-Proto} !https
RewriteCond %{HTTPS} off RewriteRule ^ https://%{HTTP_HOST}%{REQUEST_URI} [L,R=301]

Best practice: Combining HTTPS and www redirection helps consolidate your URLs and improve crawl efficiency. 

You have successfully created 301 redirects in WordPress using the .htaccess file and can now check that it’s working in your web browser. 

How to set up 301 redirects in Nginx?

If your website runs on a Nginx server, 301 redirects are handled through the ‘nginx.conf’ file, which controls your server configuration. 

To access this file, connect to your server via SSH and navigate to the Nginx configuration directory—usually located at ‘/etc/nginx/’. You’ll typically find the main config file at ‘/etc/nginx/nginx.conf’ or inside a ‘sites-available’ directory for specific domains. 

Here’s a basic example of how to create a 301 redirect:

server { 
	rewrite ^/old-page/$ /new-page/ permanent; 
}

This tells Nginx to permanently redirect traffic from ‘/old-page/’ to ‘/new-page/’. 

After editing, test your configuration with ‘nginx -t’, then reload the server using ‘systemctl reload nginx’ or ‘service nginx reload’. 

How to create a 301 redirect in Shopify?

Shopify makes it easy to set up 301 redirects through its admin dashboard without any coding. Here’s how you can create a 301 redirect in Shopify: 

1. Log in to your Shopify admin panel. From the left sidebar, go to Online Store > Navigation. At the top of the ‘Navigation’ page, click URL Redirects > Create URL redirect.

2. In the ‘Redirect from’ field, enter the old URL path (for example, ‘/old-page’). In the ‘Redirect to’ field, enter the new URL path (for example, ‘/new-page’). Click ‘Save redirect’ to activate it.

Once set, test the old URL in your browser to ensure it properly redirects. 

How to create a 301 redirect in BigCommerce?

BigCommerce offers built-in tools for creating 301 redirects, especially useful after product or page changes. Here’s how you can create redirects in BigCommerce: 

1. Log in to your BigCommerce admin panel. Navigate to Server Settings > 301 Redirects under the ‘Domain’ section. Choose the correct domain (if managing multiple stores).

2. Enter the Old URL (the one you’re redirecting from). Choose your redirect type: 

• Manual link: redirect to any URL.
• Dynamic link: redirect to a specific product or category.

3. Enter the New URL or target destination. Click ‘Create’ to save the redirect.

Tip: Use manual redirects when retiring outdated content and dynamic redirects for restructuring product pages. 

How to set up 301 redirects in Adobe Commerce (Magento)?

Magento gives you precise control over 301 redirects through its URL rewrite feature. Here’s how to set up 301 redirects in Adobe Commerce (Magento): 

1. Log in to your Magento Admin Panel. Go to Marketing > SEO & Search > URL Rewrites.

2. Click ‘Add URL Rewrite’ and set the type to ‘Custom’. In ‘Request Path’, enter the old URL (for example, old-page.html). In ‘Target Path’, enter the new URL (for example, new-page.html). Set Redirect Type to ‘Permanent (301)’. 

3. You can also add a description for internal reference. Click ‘Save’ to publish the redirect. 

This method is ideal for managing SEO-friendly transitions during site upgrades or content updates.

How to set up 301 redirects directly on CDN?

Some Content Delivery Networks (CDNs) allow you to create redirects at the edge. It means that the requests are redirected before they reach your server. This can improve performance and reduce server load. 

Here’s a general process you can follow, using platforms like Cloudflare or Akamai: 

1. Log in to your CDN dashboard (for example, Cloudflare). Navigate to the Rules section and click ‘Create Rule’ or ‘Add Redirect’.  

Note: This can be labeled as Page Rules, Edge Rules or URL Redirect Rules, depending on your provider.

2. In the ‘If URL matches’ field, enter the old path or pattern (for example, [example].com/old-page). Then:

• Select the ‘Forwarding URL’ option.
• Choose ‘301 – Permanent Redirect’ as the status code.
• In the ‘Destination URL’ field, enter the new URL where you want users to be redirected (for example, https://[example].com/new-page).

3. Save the rule and test it in your browser.

CDN-based redirects are fast and efficient, but not all CDN providers support edge-level 301s on free plans. Always verify compatibility first. 

This method is especially helpful for global traffic routing, offloading redirects from your original server, or maintaining speed during high-traffic migrations.

Basic 301 URL redirect for other CMS

Most modern content management systems offer built-in tools or redirect plugins to manage 301 redirects. Here’s a quick overview of how to set them up across popular platforms: 

1. Drupal: Install and configure the Redirect module to manage URL redirects directly from the admin dashboard.
2. HubSpot: Navigate to Settings > Content > Domains & URLs > URL Redirects to set up 301 redirects using HubSpot’s built-in tool.
3. Joomla: Install a dedicated redirection plugin/extension like ReDJ or sh404SEF to manage redirects effectively within Joomla’s admin interface.
4. Squarespace: Open the Developer Tools panel and click on URL Mappings to add 301 redirects in the required format.
5. Webflow: Go to Site settings > Publishing > 301 redirects to use the native redirect tool. Just enter the old path and the new destination.
6. Wix: From the SEO Dashboard, select Tools and Settings > URL Redirect Manager to configure permanent redirects between pages. 

Tip: If you’re unsure where to start, search “[your CMS] + 301 redirect” in the platform’s help center—most offer step-by-step guides.

Which 301 redirect method should you use?

Choosing the right 301 redirect method depends on a few key factors. Here’s how to decide what’s best for your situation:

1. CMS type (WordPress, Shopify, Magento)

The tools available to you often depend on your Content Management System (CMS). 

• WordPress users can use redirect plugins like Yoast SEO or Redirection plugin for easy setup.
• Shopify provides a built-in URL redirect tool in the admin dashboard—no code needed.
• Magento offers a URL Rewrites feature under its SEO settings for precise control. 

Pick the method that aligns with your platform’s native features to save time and reduce complexity.

2. Technical expertise (beginner vs developer)

If you’re a beginner, it’s best to stick to no-code solutions like admin panel settings or redirect plugins. Developers or advanced users can go a step further using .htaccess, nginx.conf or PHP header functions for more flexibility and server-side performance. 

When in doubt, choose the safest method that doesn’t risk breaking your site.

3. Use case (page deletion vs domain migration)

• For simple changes, like removing a page or updating a URL slug, use individual 301 redirects through your CMS or a redirect plugin.
• For larger migrations, such as moving to a new domain or launching a redesigned site, you’ll need to create a redirect map and apply bulk redirects via server config files or platform tools. 

Match the method to the scale of the change to keep things organized and effective.

When to use 301 redirects? 

Setting up 301 redirects is essential for maintaining a seamless user experience and preserving your website’s SEO authority. Google explicitly recommends using 301 redirects when moving to a new domain to preserve your existing rankings and ensure proper indexing during the transition. 

Here are key scenarios where implementing 301 redirects is highly recommended: 

1. Canonicalization 

If you have multiple URLs with similar content, this can dilute your SEO potential. Use 301 redirects to consolidate these pages into a single, preferred URL, enhancing your website’s authority. Common uses include consolidating HTTP to HTTPS or non-www to www (and vice versa).

2. Migrating from an old site to a new site 

When you migrate, the overall website structure and content locations may change, breaking links to resources. By implementing 301 redirects, you ensure that both users and search engines can continue accessing these valuable resources seamlessly.  

Also read: How to Structure a Website

3. Reorganizing website content 

If you’re enhancing your site’s usability by reorganizing content, certain pieces may need to be moved permanently. A 301 redirect can keep your visitors connected to the content they need, no matter where it’s now located.  

4. Page or post deletion 

When you remove a high-traffic page or post, setting up a 301 redirect to a relevant alternative page is important. It helps prevent users from encountering 404 errors and preserves the SEO value of the deleted content.  

Also read: What is 404 Error Code

5. Redirecting expired to new content 

Let’s say you held a webinar and created a signup page for it. After the event ends, a 301 redirect can send users from the inactive signup page to a recorded session page.

6. Website restructuring 

If you’re updating your site’s organization, such as creating new categories or modifying URL structures, 301 redirects help users and search engines stay connected to your content without interruption.

7. Updating URLs 

When optimizing URLs for better readability or including keywords, it’s wise to set up 301 redirects from old URLs to new ones. This ensures users and search engines are directed to the latest, optimized URL, avoiding broken links and preserving link authority.  

8. Domain migration 

If you’re moving your website to a new domain, 301 redirects ensure that all existing page traffic and SEO authority of the current domain flows seamlessly to the new one.  

9. Changing permalink structure 

Adjusting the permalink structure of your posts or pages can cause external links and bookmarks to break. By setting up 301 redirects from old URLs to the new URL structure, you maintain link integrity and provide users with a smooth transition.  

10. Migrating a website during a phased web launch

When migrating your site in stages, use a combination of 301 and 302 redirects. Set up 301 redirects for pages launched in phase one, and 302 redirects for pages still under development. This avoids broken links and tells search engines which pages are permanent vs. temporary. As each phase goes live, replace 302s with 301s to reflect the new structure. 

Also read: How to Migrate WordPress With Bluehost Cloud Migration Tool

11. Consolidating multiple websites into a single domain

If you’re merging multiple websites into one, use 301 redirects to preserve SEO value. Map old URLs from each site to their new counterparts on the consolidated domain. This ensures visitors and search engines are routed correctly, retaining traffic and rankings across all previously separate sites. 

12. Switching from HTTP to HTTPS

Moving from HTTP to HTTPS is critical for both security and SEO. 301 redirects from HTTP to HTTPS ensure users and search engines access the secure version of your site. Use a full site crawl to map all HTTP URLs, then implement permanent redirects to their HTTPS equivalents.

3 main benefits of using 301 redirects on your site   

When done right, 301 redirects do more than just reroute traffic, such as preserving the health and performance of your website. Here are some of the top three ways that using 301 redirects can be beneficial: 

1. Preserve your existing SEO rankings
2. Improve user experience by avoiding broken links
3. Consolidate duplicate content and URLs for better indexing 

Let’s break each of these down further:

1. Preserves the SEO value of your pages   

One of the biggest advantages of using SEO and 301 redirects together is the ability to preserve your page authority when making URL changes. 301 redirects pass the influence of an old web page to a new one. 

According to Moz, a 301 redirect transfers 90–99% of the original page’s link equity to the new URL. That means your backlinks, domain authority and search engine rankings are mostly preserved, making 301 redirects the safest option when restructuring or relocating content. 

2. Provides a seamless user experience (UX)   

Broken links return a 404 (HTTP status code not found) error page, which can frustrate your visitors and disrupt the UX of your website. A 301 redirect in WordPress site takes a split second to resolve, and visitors probably won’t even notice when it happens. It helps improve overall user experience. 

3. Minimizes duplicate pages   

Google doesn’t penalize your website for having duplicate pages. However, it can have trouble determining which web page to show in search results. 

Also, Google’s crawlers might fail to detect the similarity between duplicate pages, especially if the URLs have different parameters. Therefore, your pages may compete and rank for the same keywords.    

This dilutes the strength of your ranking signals, causing your content to rank lower. However, creating a 301 redirect on an old page to send traffic to a new page fixes this issue. 

6 common redirect mistakes to avoid

Redirects can protect your SEO and user experience, but only when used correctly. In this section, we’ll walk through six common redirect mistakes that website owners often make when setting up 301 redirects in WordPress: 

1. Confusing 301 and 302 redirects
2. Failing to regularly track redirects
3. Redirecting to unrelated or outdated content
4. Setting up a 302 redirect between versions of your domains
5. Setting up a 301 redirect after creating a new page
6. Using a 302 redirect during content migration 

Let’s check out each of these in more detail:

1. Confusing 301 and 302 redirects  

One common misstep when setting up website redirects is mixing up 301 and 302 redirect types. While both will send visitors to a new page, they signal different intentions to search engines, which can affect your SEO. Understanding the distinction is key.   

As a refresher, 301 is a permanent redirect, informing search engines that the original content has permanently moved for good. This means the new page inherits the link equity from the old page, which can help maintain your SEO rankings.   

In contrast, 302 is a temporary redirect. You might use this if you’re testing a new design and need to temporarily direct visitors elsewhere during development. A 302 tells search engines that the original content will eventually be back, so it should retain its PageRank and indexing.  

2. Failing to regularly track redirects  

It’s also essential to keep track of your redirects regularly. If you overlook this, your WordPress site could end up in an infinite redirect loop, which can hurt your bounce rate. Ideally, both search engines and visitors should be able to find the right content quickly and effortlessly.  

3. Redirecting to unrelated or outdated content  

Ensure that your redirections lead to relevant, updated content. When visitors click a link, they expect useful information, so redirecting them to related content will make for a smoother experience. This prevents users from bouncing to a competitor’s site and helps search engines understand your content. Plus, it boosts your rankings in search results.

4. Setting up a 302 redirect between versions of your domains

Avoid using 302 redirects between domain variations like www.[example].com and [example].com. Use a 301 redirect instead to pass link equity and consolidate SEO value across all domain versions. 

Search engines treat these as separate URLs—failing to redirect properly can split your ranking signals.

5. Setting up a 301 redirect after creating a new page

Never delay your 301 redirects when launching a new site or acquiring a new domain. Redirects should be in place before the new page goes live. Otherwise, search engines may treat it as new, unrelated content, causing a drop in SEO performance and loss of link authority. 

6. Using a 302 redirect during content migration

Avoid using 302 redirects for long-term or permanent site changes. If you’re migrating content to a new domain or reorganizing your site, 301 redirects should be used to preserve SEO value. 302s are meant for short-term changes and won’t transfer page authority.  

How to troubleshoot 301 redirect issues on your site?

301 redirects can be powerful. But when something goes wrong, it can quickly hurt your SEO, user experience and site performance. The good news? Most redirect issues are easy to fix once you know what to look for. 

Here are 11 common redirect problems you should watch out for: 

1. Check for redirect loops
2. Test URLs after redirection
3. Ensure consistency between old and new URLs
4. Monitor redirects performance
5. Avoid redirect chains
6. Permanently redirect old links
7. Make sure the HTTP version of your site redirects to HTTPS
8. Remove pages with 301 status codes from your sitemap
9. Fix broken redirects
10. Replace 302 redirects and meta refresh redirects with 301s
11. Look for redirected (301) pages that get organic traffic

Let’s go through each of these in more detail: 

1. Check for redirect loops

Redirect loops happen when a URL continually redirects to itself or when two pages redirect to each other. This can frustrate visitors and cause search engines to stop crawling on the page. To avoid this, double-check that your redirects follow a linear path without looping back.  

2. Test URLs after redirection

Once you’ve set up 301 redirects, test the URL in your browser. This lets you see if it’s functioning as expected, sending users to the correct destination. Tools like Redirect Checker can also help you verify if the redirect path is clean and properly configured.  

3. Ensure consistency between old and new URLs

Sometimes redirects point users to content that doesn’t align with their expectations, especially if the new page isn’t related to the original content. When possible, link to pages that provide similar information to maintain a smooth user experience.  

4. Monitor redirects performance

You can set up Google Analytics or Search Console reports to see how redirects affect your site’s traffic. Pay attention to any drop in traffic that may indicate an issue with your redirects or their destination pages.  

5. Avoid redirect chains

A redirect chain occurs when one page redirects to another, which then redirects to yet another page. This can slow down page load times, impacting both SEO and user experience. Aim to set up 301 redirects at once whenever possible.  

6. Permanently redirect old links  

If you’re consolidating your content or moving to a new domain, setting up 301 redirects is essential. Not only will this help you retain your current traffic, but it also ensures you don’t lose valuable search rankings. Plus, with redirects in place, you can prevent users from landing on broken links. 

7. Make sure the HTTP version of your site redirects to HTTPS

An SSL certificate alone isn’t enough—you must redirect all HTTP traffic to HTTPS using 301 redirects. Check your homepage using http:// instead of https://. If it doesn’t auto-redirect, apply a 301 rule in your .htaccess or server settings. To ensure full site coverage (including subdomains), run a site audit and fix any HTTP URLs still accessible.

8. Remove pages with 301 status codes from your sitemap

Pages that return 301 status should not appear in your XML sitemap. They waste the crawl budget and can confuse search engines. Use a tool like Ahrefs or an HTTP status checker to find these URLs and remove or replace them with the final destination pages.

9. Fix broken redirects

Broken redirects lead to dead ends—like redirecting to a 404 (HTTP status code) or 500 error page. They disrupt user experience and crawlability. Audit your site for redirect chains that land on non-existent pages. Either restore the target page or remove all internal links pointing to it.

10. Replace 302 redirects and meta refresh redirects with 301s

302 and meta refresh redirects aren’t meant for permanent changes. Google may ignore meta refreshes and treat 302s as temporary, harming your SEO. Update any long-term redirects to 301s and remove or replace outdated internal links that lead through non-301 paths. 

11. Look for redirected (301) pages that get organic traffic

301 pages shouldn’t get traffic—if they do, Google hasn’t indexed the final URL yet. Check for this in tools like Ahrefs or Google Search Console. To speed up deindexing, request indexing for the final destination in Search Console and remove the redirected URL from your sitemap. 

Final thoughts 

No matter your technical skill level, you can choose the 301 redirect method that works best for your WordPress site, from redirect plugins to .htaccess or cPanel. The key is to implement each redirect correctly to avoid SEO issues, broken links or confused visitors. 

Using permanent redirect on WordPress or other CMS platforms is a reliable way to retain traffic and rankings. It helps even when cleaning up old pages or redirecting a domain.

Bluehost makes it easy to simplify 301 redirects on your WordPress site. With selected hosting plans, you get Yoast SEO Premium pre-integrated. So, you can create and manage redirects through the Redirect Manager without coding.

Want a hassle-free way to manage 301 redirects? Get started with Bluehost WordPress hosting now! 

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