| Platform/Product/Module: | Your old website provider & ClubSpark |
| Function: | Redirect anyone clicking on your old domain name / website URL to your new ClubSpark website |
What is a Website Redirect?
A website redirect points your old website URL to a new page. When anyone types in or clicks on that original URL they’ll be taken to the page you set the redirect up to instead. It ensures visitors don’t end up on a 404 error page and instead find your new Clubspark website. It can also keep you from losing the value of links you’ve built to that previous page—which is important for search engine optimisation (SEO), as well as the user experience of anyone that clicks one of those links.
How to Set Up a Redirect
Most website owners have multiple ways they can choose to set up a redirect. Contact your domain provider and let them know what type of redirect you’d like to put in place, give them the website address of your new ClubSpark website, and they’ll take it from there. In many instances you can also do this yourself through your domain providers’ web portal.
Types of URL Redirects
There are three main types of redirects to be aware of, although most website owners will only need to use the first.
1. 301 Redirect
A 301 redirect is a permanent redirect. This type of redirect takes place on both a browser and server level. It’s the most commonly used and powerful redirect. It passes on all the SEO authority of the existing URL. Search engines recognise and index this kind of redirect, making it the best choice for SEO.
In almost all cases, this is the type of redirect you’ll want to use.
2. 302 Redirect
A 302 redirect is a temporary redirect. It should only be used when you have the intention of moving back to the old URL at some point. If, for example, you’re redesigning your site, but want to direct users to a different domain while you finish. Or if you want to do a comparison test of two different versions of a site, before committing to a new version.
302 redirects aren’t used very often. If you’re considering using a 302 redirect, consider carefully whether you might be better off using a 301 redirect.
3. Meta Refresh
Have you ever landed on a page and been greeted with a message that says, “The original URL has moved, you’re now being redirected. Click here if you’re not redirected in 5 seconds”? Then you’ve experienced a meta refresh.
A meta refresh is a redirect that functions by telling the browser to go to the new page, without updating the server. When setting up a meta refresh, you can clarify the amount of time it should take for the redirect to the new page to occur. Sometimes search engines interpret a meta refresh in the same way as a 301 redirect, especially if the time allotted is zero or one second. But it’s not entirely consistent how search engines read a meta refresh, and they create a worse user experience by making the visitor wait to get to the page they’re seeking.
In instances where you’re considering a meta refresh, you’re likely to be better off with a 301 redirect.