Clarity needed on 301 redirects
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Looking to get a bit of clarity on redirects:
We're getting ready to launch a new website with a simplified url structure (we're consolidating pages & content) & I already know that I'll have to employ 301 redirects from the old url structure to the new. What I'm not clear about is how specifc I should be. Here's an example of my file structure:
Old website: www.website.com
New website: www.website.comOld website: www.website.com/vacations
New website: www.website.com/vacationsOld website: www.website.com/vacations/costa-rica
New website: www.website.com/vacations/central-americaOld website: www.website.com/vacations/costa-rica/guanacaste
New website: www.website.com/vacations/central-americaOld website: www.website.com/vacations/mexico
New website: www.website.com/vacations/central-americaOld website: www.website.com/vacations/mexico/cancun
New website: www.website.com/vacations/central-americaOld website: www.website.com/vacations/bolivia
New website: www.website.com/vacations/south-americaOld website: www.website.com/vacations/bolivia/la-paz
New website: www.website.com/vacations/south-americaDo I need to redirect each and every page or would just redirecting just the folder be enough to keep my SEO juice?
Many thanks in advance for any help!
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Ahhh, that's what I figured. Many thanks for your prompt response. This will keep me busy for quite some time.
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301 redirect each and every page -- not each and every folder. The reason is simple: External links go to specific pages (and not folders). If you want to keep the "link juice" from those links to those pages, then the pages need to be 301 redirected to other desired pages. It's about keeping the specific destination in mind -- for both users and search engines.
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