How to redirect URLs in OpenCart?

@dorothea 

Redirecting URLs in OpenCart can be done using a couple of different methods depending on what you want to achieve. Here are some common methods to set up URL redirects in OpenCart:

1. Using .htaccess file for Redirection:

The .htaccess file is a configuration file used on web servers that support the Apache HTTP Server. You can use it to set up URL redirection.

1. Access .htaccess file: Connect to your server using an FTP client or a web hosting file manager. Locate the .htaccess file in the root directory of your OpenCart installation. If it’s not visible, make sure your FTP client is set to display hidden files.
2. Edit .htaccess file: Open the .htaccess file for editing. Add the following lines to the file to set up a redirect. For example, to redirect a specific page: Redirect 301 /old-path http://www.yourwebsite.com/new-path To redirect all traffic from HTTP to HTTPS: RewriteEngine On RewriteCond %{HTTPS} off RewriteRule ^(.*)$ https://%{HTTP_HOST}/$1 [R=301,L] Save the file and upload it back to the server (if using an FTP client).
3. Test the redirection: Visit the old URL in your browser to ensure it correctly redirects to the new URL.

2. Using OpenCart Admin Panel:

If OpenCart supports SEO URL redirects out of the box in the version you are using, you might find SEO and redirect options in the admin panel, or you may need to use extensions.

1. SEO URL Setup: Navigate to System -> Settings in the admin panel. Edit your store settings. Ensure that "Use SEO URLs" is set to "Yes". Modify the SEO URLs for categories, products, or other routes to ensure they reflect the preferred format.
2. Using an Extension: Visit the OpenCart Marketplace and search for a URL redirect extension. Install the extension following the documentation provided. Use the extension to set up your URL redirects from the admin panel.

3. Manual Code Changes:

If you have specific, custom requirements, you can handle redirections through code, but this should be done carefully and preferably by someone with coding experience.

1. Modify the index.php or specific controller files to handle redirects: Locate files routing traffic and inject custom redirect logic using PHP header functions. if ($_SERVER['REQUEST_URI'] == '/old-path') { header("HTTP/1.1 301 Moved Permanently"); header("Location: http://www.yourwebsite.com/new-path"); exit(); }
2. Ensure Your Changes are Tested and Backup is Taken: Test these changes on a staging environment before applying them to the live site to ensure they do not cause unexpected issues.

4. Using cPanel Redirects (If Available):

If your hosting provider uses cPanel, you may use its built-in redirect options.

1. Login to cPanel: Navigate to the "Domains" section and click on "Redirects". Set up a 301 redirect by specifying the old and new URLs.

When implementing redirects, it's important to confirm that all old URLs correctly map to the new ones and that there are no redirect loops, as this can negatively affect user experience and SEO.