A 301 redirect is a permanent redirect that automatically sends visitors (and Google) from an old webpage to a new one, ensuring you don't lose customers or search rankings when URLs change.
What is a 301 Redirect?
Think of it like forwarding mail when you move houses. When you change a webpage's URL, update your website structure, or merge pages, a 301 redirect ensures you don't lose the customers who bookmarked your old page or the Google ranking power you've built up over time.
When You Need 301 Redirects
- Website redesigns and migrations
- URL structure changes
- Merging similar service pages
- Fixing broken internal links
- Moving from HTTP to HTTPS
Need help with any of the above? Our SEO services cover full redirect strategy and implementation.
Real-World Example
Your old service page: https://yourcompany.com/old-services/
Your new page: https://yourcompany.com/new-services/
- Without a 301 redirect: Visitors get a "Page Not Found" error, and Google loses track of your page's authority
- With a 301 redirect: Everyone automatically lands on your new page, and Google transfers your rankings
Business Impact
Keep Your Customers Happy
No more broken links or 404 errors that frustrate visitors and make your business look unprofessional.
Preserve Your Google Rankings
All the SEO value from your old page transfers to the new one, maintaining your hard-earned search visibility.
Maintain Your Reputation
Professional websites don't have broken links that damage user experience and brand credibility.
Red Flag to Watch For
Some agencies set up temporary redirects (302) instead of permanent ones (301). This doesn't transfer your SEO value properly and can hurt your rankings long-term. Always verify that permanent redirects are being used for URL changes.
Pro Tip from Digitrio
During website migrations, we audit every important page to ensure proper 301 redirects are in place. This is why our clients maintain their Google rankings even after major website changes - unlike agencies that focus only on new content without protecting existing SEO value.