301 Redirect

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Overview:
- Permanent Redirect (301 Redirect): An HTTP redirect indicating that a page has been permanently moved to a new URL.
- SEO Impact: Transfers most of the SEO value from the old URL to the new one, preserving search engine rankings.
- Use in Webflow: Webflow makes it easy to set up 301 redirects to manage URL changes on built websites.
- Benefits: Improves user experience by avoiding 404 errors and supports website migrations or restructuring.
- Difference from Other Redirect Codes: Unlike a temporary redirect (302), a 301 is permanent.

What is a 301 Redirect?

One 301 Redirect is an HTTP status code that alerts browsers and search engines that a web page has been permanently moved to a new URL. When a user or a search engine attempts to access the old URL, the web server responds with this 301 code along with the new URL, indicating that the page has changed permanently. This redirection allows not only to direct visitors to the right page but also to transmit most of the SEO value from the old URL to the new one, which is essential to maintain positioning in the search results.

Why use a 301 redirect?

The use of a 301 redirect is recommended in several situations:

URL change : When the structure of the URLs of a site evolves for reasons of referencing or organization, in order not to lose traffic or popularity.
Merging or deleting pages : To direct traffic from deleted pages to existing relevant content, thereby reducing 404 errors.
Site migration : If you change your domain or switch to a new management system, 301 Redirect helps maintain SEO credibility with search engines.
Improving the user experience : Prevent visitors from coming across pages that cannot be found or obsolete.

How does a 301 redirect work in Webflow?

Webflow, a platform for creating sites without code, integrates a simple function to manage 301 redirects. Here is how redirects are deployed in Webflow:

Élément	Spécificité
Configuration	Dans le panneau des paramètres du site Webflow, vous pouvez ajouter des règles de redirection en précisant l’ancienne URL et la nouvelle.
Activité	Lorsqu’un visiteur accède à l’ancienne URL, Webflow renvoie automatiquement un code HTTP 301 indiquant la nouvelle adresse vers laquelle le navigateur doit se diriger.
Propagation SEO	Webflow transmet les signaux SEO (liens, popularité) vers la nouvelle URL, ce qui permet de préserver le référencement.

This method is particularly useful for teams who want to redesign their site or adjust the tree structure without compromising their natural traffic.

Benefits of using a 301 redirect

A well-implemented 301 redirection provides several essential benefits:

Maintaining SEO : The majority of the SEO authority of the source page is transferred to the new URL, avoiding a loss of ranking in Google.
Improving the user experience : Visitors do not encounter errors or empty pages; they are redirected transparently.
Support for the restructuring of the site : Allows you to optimize the structure of the site or to simplify the URLs without negative impact.
Compliance with SEO best practices : Google recommends using permanent redirects for final changes.
Preventing 404 errors : Recycle existing URLs instead of leaving pages gone.

Differences between 301 redirects and other types of redirects

It is important to distinguish a 301 redirect from other HTTP redirection codes:

301 Redirect : Redirection permanente, transfère généralement 90-99% de la valeur SEO et indique aux moteurs que la ressource a changé définitivement.
302 Redirect : Redirection temporaire, la valeur SEO n’est pas nécessairement transférée car la ressource est supposée revenir à son ancien emplacement.
307 Redirect : Variante temporaire de redirection POST, similaire au 302 mais stricte sur la méthode HTTP.

Choosing the right redirection is crucial depending on whether the change is temporary or permanent, in order to optimize SEO and the user experience.

Conclusion

La 301 redirect is an essential tool for managing website URLs, making it possible to ensure a smooth transition during structural changes or migrations. Simply integrated into platforms like Webflow, it protects and transfers SEO value while offering uninterrupted browsing for visitors. Understanding and using this redirection correctly allows webmasters to improve the visibility of their site and avoid the pitfalls associated with renamed or permanently moved content.