Question: How do you implement 301 redirects in WordPress?

301 redirects are crucial for maintaining SEO rankings when URLs change. In WordPress, you can implement 301 redirects using plugins or by modifying the .htaccess file.

Using a Plugin

One of the easiest ways to handle 301 redirects in WordPress is through plugins. Here are steps using two popular plugins:

Redirection

1. Install and activate the Redirection plugin from your WordPress dashboard.
2. Navigate to Tools > Redirection.
3. Add your source URL (old URL) and target URL (new URL).
4. Set the HTTP code to 301 - Moved Permanently.
5. Save the redirect.

Yoast SEO Premium

If you have Yoast SEO Premium:

1. Go to SEO > Redirects.
2. Choose the type '301 - Moved permanently'.
3. Enter the old URL in the 'Old URL' field and the new URL in the 'URL' field.
4. Click 'Add redirect'.

Modifying the .htaccess File

For those who prefer not using a plugin, modifying the .htaccess file is an alternative. This method requires caution because incorrect entries can make your site inaccessible.

1. Connect to your server via FTP or File Manager in cPanel.
2. Locate the .htaccess file in the root directory of your WordPress installation.
3. Backup the .htaccess file before making changes.
4. Add the following line for each redirect:

   Redirect 301 /old-page/ http://www.yourdomain.com/new-page/
   

5. Replace /old-page/ with the old URL path and http://www.yourdomain.com/new-page/ with the full new URL.
6. Save changes and upload the file back if you edited it offline.

Testing Your Redirects

After setting up 301 redirects, it's important to test them to ensure they work correctly. You can use tools like HTTP status code checker or simply visit the old URLs to see if they are redirected properly to the new ones.

By properly implementing 301 redirects, you not only help users find what they're looking for but also preserve search engine rankings by signaling that the page has moved permanently.