Redirecting Visitors to a New Location
IT Connect > Web > Publishing > URL Redirect
Choose Your Method
There are two primary ways of redirecting users to the location of your new website: server-based and browser-based. Both options offer various benefits and drawbacks, and individual site owners can choose which solution to use for their website.
Server-Based
Server-based redirects use simple directives in local .htaccess files that tell the web server that the content has changed locations and to immediately redirect the user to a new site. UW-IT recommends using this method.
Benefits
- Instant: The server immediately sends the redirect upon connection to the site.
- Search Engine Friendly: Search Engines recognize and process HTTP 301 redirects, and quickly update your links with the new location.
- Wildcard Matching: One line can handle a redirect for all pages on a site.
- Don't Need to Remove Old Files: Old files don't need to be immediately deleted.
- More Flexible: Server-based redirects are extremely flexible, and a large amount of documentation exists online.
Drawbacks
- No User Warning: Redirects are instant, and there is no means of notifying users of the URL change before transfer.
- Requires .htaccess access: The UW Uniform Access systems allow access to .htaccess files, but other web hosts on campus may not.
Instructions
Setting up server-based redirectBrowser-Based
Browser-based redirects use a HTML header that tells the browser to redirect to a new location. This method allows a site administrator to optionally specify a waiting period before redirect and to leave a message announcing the URL change.
Benefits
- Allows for Message before Redirect: By specifying a time before redirect, an administrator can leave a message for users to update their bookmarks and links before redirect.
Drawbacks
- Requires removal of all files: Requires removal of all files in web publishing in order for redirect to work properly.
Instructions
Setting up browser-based redirectOther Choices
Looking for URL Forwarding or Masking instead?
Contact Us
This page is maintained by UW Information Technology. Please contact us at help[at]uw.edu if you have any questions about this documentation, require assistance, or have feedback.
