.htaccess code

[abisti2]

I've got a .htaccess file set up on a site to redirect specific old pages to specific new pages on a different site:

eg

Redirect 301 /oldpage.html https://www.newsite.co.uk/newpage.html

Redirect 301 /oldpage2.html https://www.newsite.co.uk/folder/

I have two questions:

1. Is that all the file needs? Or does it need any "rewrite engine on" type code?

2. I would also like to include code to "mop up" any other URLs and redirect them to the root, so that

/anyotherpage.html redirects to newsite.co.uk

Is there a way to do this?

[KevinBudzynski]

What I'm looking to do is pass the link juice on from about 5,000 backlinks still pointing at our old site (which exists in domain form only a present) to the new site.  Are these links pointed to the home page? Or are these pointed at relevant landing pages? If to the home page (and page is same on new site) nothing is needed. If  these links are pointed to a landing page, you will need to route them to a related page on the new site and 301.

Are you saying there's not point in using a 301 if the page doesn't exist? Yes, no point unless there is a new landing page that is some-how related.

I don't really understand why you'd use a 301 if the page still existed...? If the page is on the new site and is the same url, no 301 is needed.

[abisti2]

Thanks Kevin - I'm not sure I completely understand though.

What I'm looking to do is pass the link juice on from about 5,000 backlinks still pointing at our old site (which exists in domain form only a present) to the new site.

Are you saying there's not point in using a 301 if the page doesn't exist? I don't really understand why you'd use a 301 if the page still existed...?

[KevinBudzynski]

Not really, since the resource doesn't exist anymore. If the resource exists (or something close to it) it would be a 301 and link juice will be passed (although not 100% of it).

If you have a relevant page, you should always 301 them. I would go through analytics and makes sure any "valuable" page has a relevant landing page. If no relevant landing page exists, you should 404 the result will eventually fall off.

I would also advise on creating a custom 404 page that explains what they are looking for and doesn't exist and show alternative pages/search bar. Users may get confused if they were looking for something specific and land at your home page.

[abisti2]

Hi Kevin

Many thanks for this. Is a 404 as effective in passing on link juice as a 301?

[KevinBudzynski]

2.) Are you talking about a catch-all? You can use 404 and redirect them to whatever. Try to redirect as much as possible though. Good luck!

ErrorDocument 404 /index.html

[abisti2]

Thanks Andy, much appreciated. I'll look forward to the code

[Andy-Halliday]

Your current redirects are fine and the best way is if its live to test it. Even thought I knew I had done it right recently when i went to https, I still do several random checks. They all came back as working - but no harm in testing.

Your point 2 is doable and as I am not on my laptop I don't have the code to hand. I will update in a few hours when back in the office for you, but your point 1 is correct.