How to Set Up a Redirect in WordPress ( 2026 )
Have you ever clicked on a link and landed on a ‘404 Page Not Found? Annoying, right? Well, that is exactly what happens when your visitors try to open an old URL that no longer exists.
The good news? You can fix this easily by setting up a redirect in WordPress and it only takes a few minutes once you know how.
In this guide, I will show you how to set up a redirect in WordPress step by step whether you prefer doing it with a plugin or manually using code. No tech headaches, no confusion just clear beginner friendly instructions that work every single time.
Create backup and restore WordPress Website
What Is a Redirects in WordPress and Why It Matters?
Before we jump into the ‘how’ let’s quickly understand the ‘why.
A redirect simply tells your website visitors and search engines that a specific URL has moved to a new location. When someone tries to access the old URL, the redirect automatically sends them to the new one without breaking the experience.
Why redirects are important:
- Avoid broken links: Prevent 404 errors and keep your website user friendly.
- Maintain SEO rankings: Google transfers most of your SEO power link juice to the new page.
- Better user experience: Visitors seamlessly reach the right content.
- Track old links: If you have updated URLs or changed structure, redirects help manage them easily.
For example, imagine you had a blog post at:
- yourdomain.com/best-wordpress-plugins-2023
and you updated it to:
- yourdomain.com/best-wordpress-plugins-2025
If you don’t set up a redirect, anyone visiting the old link will hit a 404 page which hurts both user experience and SEO.
But with a redirect, they will automatically reach the new URL.
Types of Redirects in WordPress
Not all redirects are the same, depending on your purpose you will choose one type or another.
1. 301 Redirect (Permanent)
- Use this when a page or post has permanently moved to a new URL.
- Best for SEO, Google passes ranking signals from the old URL to the new one.
2. 302 Redirect (Temporary)
- Use this when a page is temporarily moved, for example, during maintenance or updates.
3. 307 Redirect (Temporary – Modern)
- Similar to 302 but used in modern HTTP versions. It’s not common for basic WordPress use.
4. Meta Refresh Redirect
- Usually added in HTML but not recommended for SEO because it can confuse search engines.
- For 99% of WordPress users, a 301 redirect is the best and most commonly used option.
How to Set Up a Redirect in WordPress with 03 Easy Methods
Let’s go step by step through the most effective methods.
We will start with the easiest one using a redirect in WordPress plugin and then move to manual methods.
Method 1: Using a WordPress Plugin Recommended for Beginners
If you are not comfortable editing code, plugins are your best friend, The most popular and beginner friendly one is the Redirection plugin by John Godley, it’s free and super easy to use.
Step by Step Guide:
- Go to your WordPress Dashboard from the left sidebar, click on Plugins – Add New.
- Search for “Redirection.” Install and activate the plugin created by John Godley.
- Open the plugin settings, once activated, go to Tools, Redirection in your dashboard menu.
- Add a new redirect.
- In the Source URL field enter the old URL the one you want to redirect.
- In the Target URL field enter the new URL where you want users to go.
- Keep the redirect type as 301 – Moved Permanently.
5. Click Add Redirect.
Boom it’s live! Now anyone visiting your old link will automatically go to the new one.
Bonus Tip: You can also monitor 404 errors from the same plugin dashboard. This helps you find broken links and quickly redirect them.
Method 2: Using the .htaccess File ( Manual Way )
If you are confident editing server files, you can set up redirects manually through your .htaccess file.
This method is lightweight and doesn’t require a plugin but you must be careful, one wrong line can break your website.
Here’s how:
1. Access your website files, You can do this through:
- cPanel – File Manager, or
- An FTP client like FileZilla.
2. Locate your .htaccess file.
- It’s usually in the root folder of your WordPress installation where wp content and wp admin are.
3. Backup the file.
- Always make a copy before editing.
4. Add your redirect rule.
Open the .htaccess file and paste the following line at the end:
- Redirect 301 /old-page/ https://yourdomain.com/new-page/
- Replace /old-page/ and https://yourdomain.com/new-page/ with your actual URLs.
5. Save the file and test it in your browser.
- If it redirects properly congrats you did it manually!
Method 3: Using the Rank Math or Yoast SEO Premium Plugin
If you are already using an SEO plugin like Rank Math or Yoast SEO Premium, you don’t need an extra plugin.
For Rank Math:
- Go to Rank Math – Redirections.
- Click “Add New.”
- Enter the source and destination URLs.
- Choose 301 Permanent Move and click Save.
For Yoast SEO Premium:
- Go to SEO – Redirects.
- Click “Add Redirect.”
- Fill in the old and new URLs, and choose the redirect type (301).
- Save changes.
These plugins also log all redirects and help manage them in bulk, perfect for large websites.
When Should You Set Up a Redirect?
Here are the most common situations where setting up a redirect in WordPress is necessary:
- You changed a post or page URL slug.
- You deleted old content and replaced it with a new version.
- You are merging multiple articles into one.
- You migrated your website to a new domain.
- You reorganized your website’s structure.
- You switched from HTTP to HTTPS.
Think of redirects as digital address changes. Whenever you move something tell Google and your visitors where to find it next.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even though redirects are simple small mistakes can cause big problems.
- Redirect loops: When a page redirects back to itself or another page that redirects again.
- Too many redirects: Causes errors and slows down your website.
- Wrong redirect type: Use 301 for permanent moves to maintain SEO power.
- Not testing redirects: Always test your URLs after setting them up.
To test your redirects open your old URL in a private browser window, if it jumps to the new one, you arre good!
Pro Tip: Track Redirect Performance
If you use the Redirection plugin, it shows how many times each redirect has been used. This is super helpful because you can see which old URLs people still visit and make sure they all lead somewhere meaningful and if you are not sure how to redirect a page in WordPress
You can also use Google Search Console to find 404 errors and then set up redirects for them easily
Final Thoughts
Setting up redirects might sound technical but now you know it’s actually one of the easiest and most important things to do in WordPress. A simple 301 redirect can protect your SEO, improve user experience, and keep your website error free.
So, if you are wondering how to setup redirect in WordPress just remember, it’s like leaving a friendly note for both your visitors and Google saying, “Hey we have moved! Come this way instead.”
FAQs – How to Set Up a Redirect in WordPress
Do redirects affect SEO in WordPress?
Yes, in a good way! A 301 redirect passes most of your SEO ranking power from the old URL to the new one. It helps search engines understand that the move is permanent.
What is the easiest way to set up a redirect in WordPress?
The easiest method is using the Redirection plugin, It’s free beginner friendly and lets you manage all redirects without touching any code.
Can I set up a redirect in WordPress without a plugin?
Absolutely, You can manually add a redirect by editing your .htaccess file or use your hosting panel’s redirect tool. Just remember to back up the file first to avoid errors.
How to set up a 301 redirect in wordpress easily?
The easiest way for setting up a redirect in WordPress is by using a plugin like Redirection. Just install and activate it, go to Tools, Redirection then add your old URL and new URL. Save it, and your 301 redirect will start working instantly, no coding needed!
How do i do a 301 redirect in wordpress?
To do a 301 redirect in WordPress, the easiest way is to use a plugin like Redirection. Just install it, add your old and new URLs and save that’s it! If you are wondering how to add 301 redirect in WordPress, this plugin makes it quick and beginner friendly.
Your Turn: Have you ever changed URLs or deleted old posts? Try setting up a redirect today and see how smoothly your visitors transition!
If you found this guide helpful drop a comment below, I would love to hear how you set up redirects on your WordPress site.
Discover more from hostifylab.com
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
