TYPO3 Glossary

Redirects

TYPO3 Redirects

Redirects are a powerful feature that helps users and search engines find the right place when content has been moved or changed. In this blog, we'll explain what TYPO3 redirects are, why they're important and how you can use them effectively.

What are TYPO3 redirects?

A redirect in TYPO3 is a way of telling the browser: "Hey, the page you're looking for is no longer here, but here's the new address." Imagine you've changed the location of a page on your website, but people are still trying to visit the old link. Instead of landing on an error page, a redirect will automatically take them to the new page.

Why are redirects important?

Redirects are important for several reasons:

  1. User experience: when users click on a link that no longer exists, they end up on a "404 Not Found" page. This can be frustrating. A redirect ensures they land on the correct page instead.
  2. SEO benefits: Search engines like Google prefer websites without broken links. By setting up redirects, you help maintain your website's SEO ranking by ensuring that all links are working properly.
  3. Getting traffic: If your website has been around for a while, you may have backlinks (links from other websites pointing to your website). Redirects help to retain traffic from these links, even if you change the structure of your website.

Types of redirects in TYPO3

There are different types of redirects in TYPO3, but here are the most common ones:

  • 301 redirect (Permanent): This informs browsers and search engines that the page has been permanently moved to a new location. It is the most commonly used redirect.
  • 302 redirect (Temporary): This informs browsers that the page has been temporarily moved. This is useful if you are making changes to a page that will soon be restored.

How to create a redirect in TYPO3

Creating a redirect in TYPO3 is easy. Here is a simple step-by-step guide:

  1. Go to the redirect module: In the TYPO3 backend, you'll find the module called "Redirects."
  2. Create a new redirect: Click on "New redirect." You need to fill in some details:
    • Source path: The old URL from which you want to redirect.
    • Destination path: The new URL you want to redirect users to
    • Type: Choose between a 301 or 302 redirect.
  3. Save: Once you have filled in the details, save your redirect. It is now active and anyone visiting the old URL will be redirected to the new one.

Best practices for the use of redirects

  • Use 301 redirects for permanent changes: If you know a page is not coming back, always use a 301 redirect. This ensures that search engines update their indexes with the new URL.
  • Watch out for redirect chains: A redirect chain is created when one redirect leads to another. Too many of these can slow down your website. Make sure your redirects are direct.
  • Check your redirects regularly: Over time, you can accumulate a lot of redirects. It's good practice to check them regularly to make sure they're still needed.

Conclusion

TYPO3 redirects are an essential part of maintaining a healthy and user-friendly website. They help you manage changes in your content structure without losing visitors or SEO value. If you understand and use redirects effectively, you can ensure a smooth experience for both users and search engines.Now that you know the basics, try setting up a few redirects in TYPO3. It's a simple task that can make a big difference to your website!