Can't do 301 redirect

scallihan · #1 (**permalink**) 01-27-2005, 12:46 AM

I'm working on setting up my sister's web site under a new domain name. The old site is hosted by her ISP (home.pacbell.net). I cannot set a 301 redirect using .htaccess and am not optimistic about getting support at the ISP to do it. My question is: What is the best method of managing the move from the old URL to the new domain name, without being able to do a 301?

What I'm thinking of doing is:

1) Removing all files except for the main ones most likely to be linked to (maybe six to eight pages).

2) Removing the content (including title content, etc.) of the main files I'll be keeping, replacing it with a link to an alert page.

3) The alert page will have a notice of the address change, advise visitors to update their bookmarks, and provide a link to the new URL. I will use an image link for this, so I don't have to include the name of her site (or any of her keywords) in the page.

4) There will be no Meta refreshes used and only one link going from the old site to the new site.

5) An effort will be made to get as many links pointing to the old address as possible switched to point to the new address. She doesn't have a lot of IBLs, so shouldn't be that hard. Plus get new backlinks pointing to the new address. After that is done, probably after a couple of weeks, the old site will be completely taken down.

Note: I've already switched the link from my site (on a PR6 page) to hers to the new domain.

minstrel · #2 (**permalink**) 01-27-2005, 01:02 AM

Not the way I'd do it.

What's wrong with using meta refreshes? Just make sure the interval is at least 10 seconds. Don't delete any pages -- just create a new page with the same name for each page in the current site with the following content:

Put this in the <HEAD>... </HEAD> section:

Code:

<META HTTP-EQUIV="REFRESH" CONTENT="10; 
URL=http://www.newsite.com">

and change the <body>...</body> part to this:

Code:

OLDWEBSITE has moved!

 
Remember to update your bookmarks to: 
New Website Name.
<BR.
If your browser supports &quot;Client Pull&quot;, you will be automatically taken to the new site in 10 seconds. 


 
Otherwise, please click on the link below: 


 
http://www.newsite.com

This maintains continuity for spiders AND human visitors -- no dead links or 404 errors -- smooth transition.

mm99 · #3 (**permalink**) 01-28-2005, 12:08 AM

Hi scallihan...

This one's a cakewalk. I've done it more times than I care to count.

Insert this script in your head of the old site and redirect to the new location. This way you maintain the presence you have and build anew.

<script language="javascript">
</script>

If you are moving, this is actually a great time to capitalise in seo. Just place this script in the head of every page of the old site and insert the page of the new site, page by page, in the above script. This way you maintain the se presence you have and you can use the old site to enhance anything you like, because no one will see it, just the ses. I do it all the time and it works. I even have old property that ranks higher then my new location, I guess, just because it has been there longer.

peace...Paul

peace...Paul

minstrel · #4 (**permalink**) 01-28-2005, 12:24 AM

Paul, what happens when a spider hits that javascript redirect?

emils · #5 (**permalink**) 01-29-2005, 06:55 PM

Why not using scripting to do the 301 redirect? If your website supports scripting (like PHP or ASP or whatever), you can place such a page or embed in your existing page, a small 301 redirect script inside which will do the job through code. We used this countless times with great success.