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Maximize Your SEO and Traffic with 301 Redirects

Learn how to effectively set up 301 redirects to enhance user experience and maintain your site's SEO strength.

Why This Feature Matters

301 redirects are essential for maintaining SEO rankings when pages are moved or updated. Without proper redirects, users and search engines may encounter broken links, leading to lost traffic and diminished site credibility. By setting up redirects, you ensure that both users and search engines can seamlessly access new pages while preserving your SEO strength.

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Navigate to the 301 Redirect Tool

    • Access the 301 Redirect Tool by clicking on the "gear" icon in the Sierra backend, then select "301 Redirect Tool."

  2. Choose Your Redirect Method

    • Click "Add 301 Redirect(s)" and select either a bulk upload or add redirects individually.


  3. Bulk Upload (Optional)

    • If you want to upload multiple redirects at once, choose "Bulk Upload from CSV File."
      • Ensure your CSV file has two columns: "Old URL" and "New URL."
      • Use "relative URLs" (e.g., /oldpage and /newpage).
      • After uploading, the tool checks for errors and lets you review the redirects before applying them.


  4. Add Redirects One-by-One (Optional)

    • If you prefer to add redirects individually, select "Add 301 Redirects Individually."
      • Enter the relative URLs in the "Old URL" and "New URL" fields (e.g., /oldpage → /newpage).
      • Click "+ Add" to confirm and save.



  5. Save and Manage Redirects

    • Once added, you can edit, delete, or save the redirects. You can also review, add more, or cancel any changes.

Best Practices

  • Use relative URLs: When adding URLs, only include the relative portion (e.g., /oldpage, not www.example.com/oldpage).
  • Double-check for errors: Ensure no "#" or "?" characters are present in your URLs, as these are unsupported for redirects.
  • Delete or "Hold" old pages: If the "Old URL" is still an active page, it won’t redirect. Remove or put the old page "On Hold" to allow the redirect to work properly.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

  • Problem: Redirects aren’t working.
    • Solution: Verify that the "Old URL" is not an active page. If it's still live, either delete it or set it to "On Hold."
  • Problem: Error during CSV upload.
    • Solution: Check your CSV file format and ensure there are no invalid characters (e.g., "#" or "?") in the URLs.

FAQs

  • Q: Can I add multiple redirects for the same old URL?

    • A: No, each "Old URL" should only redirect to one "New URL." Multiple redirects for the same page can cause conflicts.

  • Q: What happens if I don't delete the old URL?

    • A: The 301 redirect won't occur. Make sure to delete or put the old URL "On Hold" for the redirect to take effect.

  • Q: How do I edit or delete an existing redirect?

    • A: Simply go to the 301 Redirect Tool, and from the dashboard, you can edit, delete, or search for existing redirects.