How to handle 301 redirects in BigCommerce?

@pietro 

Handling 301 redirects in BigCommerce is important for maintaining SEO and user experience when URLs change on your site. Here’s how you can manage 301 redirects in BigCommerce:

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Access the Control Panel: Log in to your BigCommerce admin dashboard.
2. Navigate to URL Redirects: Go to Storefront > SEO. Scroll down until you find the URL Redirects section or directly click on URL Redirects in the navigation pane.
3. Add a New Redirect: Click on Create a URL Redirect or Add URL Redirect. In some versions, you might find an Add Redirect button directly on the URL Redirects page.
4. Enter Redirect Details: Old URL: Enter the old URL path from which you want to redirect. This should be the relative path (e.g., /old-page-url). New URL: Enter the new URL path to which you want the redirect to point. This is also the relative path (e.g., /new-page-url).
5. Save the Redirect: Once you have entered the old and new URLs, click on Save or Create Redirect to store the redirect.
6. Test the Redirect: Open an incognito window or clear your cache, then enter the old URL in your browser to ensure it redirects correctly to the new URL.

Tips for Managing Redirects:

• Keep Old URLs in Mind: Before deleting or changing the URL of a page, remember to set up a redirect if the page has existing traffic or SEO value.
• Bulk Redirects: If you have a large number of redirects, consider using third-party apps available in the BigCommerce Marketplace for bulk upload functionality.
• Monitor and Update: Regularly check your site's analytics to ensure all redirects are functioning properly and update them as necessary when websites are restructured again.

Conclusion:

301 redirects in BigCommerce are straightforward to set up and critical for maintaining both user experience and SEO rankings. Ensure that you periodically review and update your redirects to keep your site functioning optimally.