What problems could I encounter using 301 mod_rewrite?

[dux]

Hi,

I have a site that currently has over 300 pages. This site has been built using standard HTML. I am thinking about converting the site using Joomla.

The site has quite good rankings in search engines so I am going to use mod_rewrite (via the admin control panel) to set up 301 redirects to try and keep them.

My question is - am I likely to encounter any problems with the .htaccess file and the 300+ redirects contained within? Is there a maximum size for a .htaccess file? Would multiple requests for different pages at the same time cause problems? I have asked my hosting company and they have said there should be no problem, but I would like some further advice before I proceed.

Thanks.

[wige]

Generally speaking, the size of an .htaccess file could have a small effect on the server the first time it is processed after a change as the server incorporates new rules, but this effect should be minimal.

However, mod_rewrite does have inherent overhead resulting from the use of the rewrite engine. For massive 301 redirects, it might be less resource intensive to use RedirectMatch directives which work similar to mod_rewrite for 301 redirects. The main difference is that the rewrites are based solely on the original URL, and additional conditionals can not be added. However, it sounds like that is not a major factor in what you are trying to do. The directive is used as follows:

RedirectMatch permanent /oldfolder/(.*) http://www.yourdomain.tld/newfolder/$1
RedirectMatch 301 /(.*).html http://www.yourdomain.tld/$1.php

[bj]

Wige, knowing Joomla urls as I do, I think he'll have to do one to one redirects, since there won't be exact hierarchy matching.

Anyway, dux, if you include sitemaps in the various search engine formats, this will also help in getting things sorted out.

You might want to look at drupal as an alternative to joomla. There is a way in drupal to specify exactly which url will show for which piece of content, so you can avoid all those redirects, and continue your hierarchy/url structure the way it is now.

Path: readable URLs | drupal.org

[Palindrome]

Redirects apart, you are taking an HTML site that is doing well and converting that to Joomla? Many people trying to seriously promote sites spend their life doing the opposite.

[ronchalice]

Originally Posted by Palindrome

Redirects apart, you are taking an HTML site that is doing well and converting that to Joomla? Many people trying to seriously promote sites spend their life doing the opposite.

Not necessarily so. It depends on the strategic plan for updates and maintenance. Many organizations now use CMS exclusively because it provides the ability to easily delegate the functions of content creation to non-technical employees and associates. For many especially small business and non-profit organizations, this ability has greatly increased the ability to provide current, quality content.

I do agree with BJ, however. Joomla URLs can be tricky and must be carefully planned during conversion. Once converted, that complexity is irrelevant regarding new content.

[Peter (IMC)]

Originally Posted by dux

Hi,

I have a site that currently has over 300 pages. This site has been built using standard HTML. I am thinking about converting the site using Joomla.

The site has quite good rankings in search engines so I am going to use mod_rewrite (via the admin control panel) to set up 301 redirects to try and keep them.

My question is - am I likely to encounter any problems with the .htaccess file and the 300+ redirects contained within? Is there a maximum size for a .htaccess file? Would multiple requests for different pages at the same time cause problems? I have asked my hosting company and they have said there should be no problem, but I would like some further advice before I proceed.

Thanks.

Considering that you haven't converted yet, throw the idea of Joomla in the bin and forget about it completely. Joomla is, in my experience, the worsed choice you can make. Go for something else. Investigate better options.

Joomla Search Engine Friendly URLs are the worsed thing I have ever seen, they´re everything but friendly, to anybody.

[NetProwler]

You may not get the same rankings even after a 301 redirection. As others have said you must look for a CMS which will allow you to specify your way of URLs. That way you can use mod_rewrite to serve the new pages for the old URLs. This will help you to retain the rankings.

[dux]

Thanks for all the replies.

I have never used Joomla before and I have to admit I am quite surprised at the negativity being generated here. Is this because I am thinking of converting or would the same url problems occur when building a site from scratch? The only real alternative I can think of, as suggested by bj, is Drupal, which I have had a look at but didn't really get on very well with. I use Wordpress for blogs, but do you have any other suggestions for a CMS (if Joomla is no good from scratch - I really like the user interface on Joomla)?

The reason for transferring to a CMS was to be able to easier add updates and to allow people with non technical knowledge to add content. ronchalice is bob on.

We have had a think about the way forward for the site in question and we have now decided to stick with the current setup (html) and go for a redesign. We will also be paying more attention to the SEO as that needs reviewing and updating.

We will probably still have to use some 301's as the file structure needs attention. This will involve moving files from the root directory to specific folders.

[bj]

Drupal is an acquired taste, and is not for everyone. It takes a bit to get going with it, though once you get rolling with it, it's very flexible. It will allow you to completely follow the structure of the old site.

Depending on your site's structure, it IS possible that Wordpress can be made to work. Maybe.

Joomla has never been very friendly or easy to deal with when trying to import an old site into it, and the urls have never been SEFU, even though they pay lip service to that. Joomla's okay for new sites, though I think there are much better CMS out there than Joomla.

Another option for you would be ModX. The aliasing in ModX will allow you to duplicate site structure.

Or you can simply facelift the static site. But the future really is with dynamic sites. They're just so much easier to deal with on the longterm, and give so much more ability to keep a site fresh and content rich, which gets you up there in the SERPs much quicker. And with future redesigns, if you want a facelift you simply drop in a new skin, and the whole site is DONE. None of these site structure worries like you're having now.