Move Web Pages without Losing Traffic
Today we are moving some web pages from a directory on a chiropractic web site (chiropractor_directory) to a new directory (nearme) on the same web site. We’ll be using wsFTP to copy the files from the server to an in office machine (where the pages will be edited using UltraEdit) and then uploaded back to the server in the new directory. We’ll be using cPanel to log in and make the 301 permanent redirects which will write to the .htaccess file in the web sites root directory.
UltraEdit is a great tool for doing find and replace functions, as well as its many other great features. First thing we are doing is logging into the site via FTP and saving our files to a local directory. Changes that needed to be made to the files are completed and then the files are renamed, or saved as, and uploaded to the new directory on the Web. Changing the filename will effect the URL (user related link) which will effect one’s ability to locate these pages via a search engine. In order to keep traffic coming smoothly to those pages, we will login to cPanel and set up some permanent redirects (also known as 301 redirects).
After logging in to cPanel, we locate the redirect icon for setting up temporary and permanent redirects. The files are already in the new directory so we know what their new URLs are. On the redirect page we first enter the files old URL which is followed by the new URL. Since this is a permanent redirect were making sure to select “permanent” in the drop-down box available.
A total of five pages were downloaded, modified, and then uploaded back to the server. The new files can be visited utilizing the hyperlinks available here: Vassar Chiropractic (which is located in Michigan), Playa del Rey Chiropractic (a beach community in Southern California), Palmdale Chiropractic (home of Southern California’s aerospace industry), Pasadena Chiropractic (the home of Caltech and the Rose Bowl), and Studio City Chiropractic (bordering North Hollywood and the Universal City areas).
After we completed the downloads, the uploads, and the redirects it is important to check that the new pages load when visiting the old URLs. I like to use a major search engine to find the old URLs via a keyword search and then click on those to see if they will redirect. If everything is working we can move onto the next step.
We no longer need the files in the old directories so we can login via FTP and delete the old HTML files. It’s also a good idea to do a search on the existing web site (if those tools are available) and see if there are any files that are pointing to the old links. May as well get them up to date now rather than later. If the old pages show PR rankings, they will usually transfer over within the next 30 days.
keep your web site clean and have a spectacular day!
