redirecting a web page

complete · #1 (**permalink**) 03-07-2008, 05:19 AM

I did this once long time ago when I was first learning about HTML. But now I have forgotten how it is done. There is a way of having one HTML page redirecting and loading another page. I think it is done on the <body> tag. I remember it is something like <body onload=.... Does anyone know what I am talking about?

Alan-Hart · #2 (**permalink**) 03-07-2008, 06:11 AM

you mean a meta refresh?

e.g.
<meta http-equiv="refresh" content="2;url=http://google.com">

where 2 is the time in milliseconds to wait before redirecting.

Keep In Mind:
- Refreshing the current page can confuse people. If they didn't request the reload, some people can get concerned about security.
- Search engines dont like it

Jean-Luc · #3 (**permalink**) 03-07-2008, 08:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by complete

I remember it is something like <body onload=.... Does anyone know what I am talking about?

Search Google for JavaScript redirect body onload and you will find plenty of information.

Jean-Luc

Steven Glover · #4 (**permalink**) 03-07-2008, 09:12 AM

You may want to consider using an htaccess file to do you redirect. They work really great and happen server side so you don't need to worry about browser compatability or any network security software that might be installed on the end user machine.

If you are not familiar with using HTACCESS check out this free software I use it all the time Downloading HTAccessible

nelsonez · #5 (**permalink**) 03-07-2008, 04:13 PM

Steven brings up a good point. htaccess files are much better for redirects and if you use a 301 redirect method you won't run into any problems with the search engines.

Using a javascript (which the search engines typically can't follow) will only help your visitors whereas the search engines could misinterpret this as cloaking and they could penalize your site. I would be very careful in using the javascript or meta refresh method for a redirect.

Eric

Tech Manager · #6 (**permalink**) 03-07-2008, 05:03 PM

Google and most major search engines may penalize you for using meta tag or javascript redirects (not to mention that some systems may have javascript turned off). In my humble opinion it is always better to use mod_rewrite or a simple 301 redirect in .htaccess. It's cleaner, avoids the suggestion of unethical redirects and the Search Engines will love you.

adrienneadrienne · #7 (**permalink**) 03-07-2008, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by complete

I did this once long time ago when I was first learning about HTML. But now I have forgotten how it is done. There is a way of having one HTML page redirecting and loading another page. I think it is done on the <body> tag. I remember it is something like <body onload=.... Does anyone know what I am talking about?

I am so glad someone else forgets things like I do. I have to remember which site I did the fix on last time, and then copy it. This is half the reason that I write blog posts - as an aide memoire for myself!! But even I remember that the code is a meta refresh and I have used it for several blogspot addresses to send traffic to my chosen domain.

richard-s · #8 (**permalink**) 03-08-2008, 05:42 AM

I wrote this page of instructions some time ago:

How to Construct a Redirect Page.

With some web-browsers, and some security setting, any active scripts may trigger a security alert - this will worry inexperienced visitors.

Richard

1stgirl.com · #9 (**permalink**) 03-08-2008, 09:00 PM

complete: SEs do not like the meta refresh for reasons already given above.

I had implemented the 301 redirect method many times and enjoyed excellent results.

The most recent involved thousands of webpages when I was no longer allowed to display
Adsense ads at one of my sites due to non-compliance issues (account not suspended).