*Updated on 10/10/23
When a website is rebuilt in Sitefinity, it provides an opportunity to restructure the pages by better arranging them to create an easy-to-use navigation and improve upon SEO. Such changes typically lead to changes in the page URLs themselves, and we usually notice a surge in 404s within the Google Analytics dashboard shortly after a new website is launched. These 404s can occur if visitors of the site have previously bookmarked certain pages and/or shared some interesting articles on social media or via email. To resolve this problem, we can export the list of 404s from the Google Analytics dashboard and decide which of these pages should be redirected elsewhere on the site. Depending on the number of pages on the website, this can be a demanding process.
OOTB Sitefinity Redirect Management
For each page in the CMS, Sitefinity gives an option to enter additional URLs through the Title & Properties settings. This is helpful if there are only a few redirects in total to be managed on the site. However, if there are hundreds, or even thousands, of pages on a website, this method is not advisable.
Basic IIS Redirects with Sitefinity
As Sitefinity is a .NET application, we can easily implement an IIS URL Rewrite module onto the server. Once the module is installed, we can create simple redirect rules as needed for the site. Then it is just a matter of mapping the redirects as a key-value pair in the rewriteMaps.config. After that, we can map the redirects via the web.config file.
Creating a Redirect Module in Sitefinity
301s are usually managed by an SEO specialist or the site’s webmaster so having a CMS screen to manage 301s will make their lives a whole lot easier than working with a configuration file as described in the above method. The idea here is to utilize Sitefinity’s Module Builder to create a 301 Redirects Module with simple fields like “Old URL” and “New URL.” This method is especially recommended for large and/or highly edited websites. Admin Sitefinity users can then use the module data entry screen for entering the redirects manually and directly into the CMS.
Get Help With Your Redirects in Sitefinity
At Americaneagle.com, our Sitefinity developers can help you manage your 301 redirects by providing a solution that is best for you and your website. Please contact us for more details.
Sitefinity 301 Redirects FAQs
What is a 301 redirect and why is it important in Sitefinity?
A 301 redirect is a permanent redirect from one URL to another, and in Sitefinity, it’s important for ensuring that users and search engines are sent to the correct page, especially if the URL has changed. This also helps in maintaining SEO rankings and providing a positive user experience on your website.
How do I set up a 301 redirect in Sitefinity?
301 redirects can be managed in Sitefinity through their backend interface. In Sitefinity, go to the “URL Redirects” section, and from here you can specify the original URL and the target URL that you want to redirect visitors to.
Can I bulk import multiple 301 redirects in Sitefinity?
The short answer is yes, Sitefinity provides you options to import redirects in bulk. You can create a CSV file that has a list of both old and new URLs and use the import feature in the “URL Redirects” section of the backend interface. This can be especially helpful if you’re migrating a website or restructuring web content.
What happens if I accidentally create a redirect loop in Sitefinity?
If you accidentally create a redirect loop, which is when a URL redirects to another URL, which in turn redirects back to the original URL, you can avoid this by regularly reviewing and testing your redirects in Sitefinity.
How can I monitor the effectiveness of my 301 redirects in Sitefinity?
You have the option integrate analytics tools with Sitefinity in order to track metrics on your redirected URLs as well as use third-party SEO tools. Monitoring the effectiveness of your 301 redirects in Sitefinity is crucial to ensuring that your redirects are working as intended.
