When running an online store on Shopify, you might see “404 errors” pop up when pages are missing or moved. These errors happen when a page no longer exists, leaving visitors stranded. Fixing this with a 404 redirect is crucial to help visitors find what they need and to keep your website organized.
Redirects play an important role in SEO (search engine optimization) and user experience. By redirecting missing pages, you guide customers to the right place, which keeps them engaged and shows search engines that your site is well-maintained. This guide will walk you through setting up redirects effectively on Shopify.
Understanding Redirects
When running an online store, like on Shopify, it’s common to come across broken links, leading customers to dreaded “404 Error” pages. Luckily, you can fix these broken links with something called a “redirect.”
What Are Redirects?
A redirect is a way of automatically sending someone from one web page to another. Redirects are especially important when you change the URL (web address) of a page or remove a product from your store. By setting up a redirect, you ensure that visitors who try to access the old page are smoothly taken to a new, relevant page instead. This helps prevent customers from getting lost on your site and improves your search engine performance.
Types of Redirects: 301 and 302
There are two main types of redirects you’ll need to know:
- 301 Redirect: This is a permanent redirect. It tells search engines and browsers that the page has moved permanently to a new location. Use this if you don’t plan to bring the original page back. It’s especially important for SEO (search engine optimization) because it passes along any “link power” the old page had to the new one.
- 302 Redirect: This is a temporary redirect. Use it if you only want to send visitors to a different page for a short time. Unlike 301 redirects, it doesn’t pass “link power” to the new page, as it assumes the original page will be back soon.
Why Redirects Matter
Redirects keep visitors on your site and make sure they don’t end up on a confusing 404 Error page. They also help search engines understand where to find your content, which can improve your ranking in search results.
How to Set Up a Redirect in Shopify
- Go to Online Store > Navigation in your Shopify dashboard.
- Find and click URL Redirects.
- Click Create URL Redirect.
- Enter the old URL (where the broken link currently leads).
- Enter the new URL (where you want visitors to go instead).
- Click Save Redirect.
Using redirects properly helps create a smooth shopping experience and strengthens your online store’s performance.
Step-by-Step Guide to Implementing Redirects
Setting up redirects is a simple way to help visitors find what they need on your Shopify store, even if a page has moved or been deleted. Here’s a step-by-step guide to setting up redirects in Shopify to fix 404 errors.
Step 1: Go to Your Shopify Dashboard
Log in to your Shopify account. In the dashboard, look for the Online Store section on the left side of the screen. Click on it, and a dropdown menu will appear.
Step 2: Select “Navigation”
In the Online Store menu, click on Navigation. This is where you can control your store’s menus and manage redirects.
Step 3: Find “URL Redirects”
Inside the Navigation section, look for URL Redirects. Click on it to access the redirect settings. This is where you’ll create new redirects to guide visitors from outdated links to the correct pages.
Step 4: Create a New Redirect
Click Create URL Redirect. You’ll see two main fields to fill in:
- Old URL: Enter the URL that leads to the 404 error page. This is the page that no longer exists but that customers may still try to visit.
- New URL: Enter the URL of the new page you want visitors to go to instead. This should be a relevant, updated page on your store.
Step 5: Save the Redirect
Once you’ve entered the old and new URLs, click Save Redirect. Shopify will now automatically redirect anyone who tries to visit the old URL to the new URL.
Step 6: Check for 404 Errors in Search Console
After setting up redirects, it’s helpful to use Google Search Console to see if there are any other 404 errors on your site. If you find any, repeat these steps to redirect them as well.
Step 7: Test Your Redirects
Go to the old URL in your browser and make sure it’s correctly redirecting to the new page. This ensures visitors won’t run into any broken links.
Why Use 301 Redirects?
Setting up redirects, especially 301 redirects, is important for technical SEO because it helps search engines understand where to find your content. It also keeps your website organized and user-friendly.
By following these steps, you’ll prevent 404 errors from disrupting the shopping experience and keep search engines happy with your site’s structure!
Best Practices for Managing Redirects
Managing redirects well is important to keep your Shopify store organized and user-friendly. Here are some best practices for redirect management that will help keep your site running smoothly and improve its SEO.
1. Keep a Log of Redirects
It’s a good idea to keep a list or log of all the redirects you create. This makes it easy to track what pages have been redirected, where they lead, and when they were set up. A log can help you review and update old redirects and avoid creating duplicate ones.
2. Use 301 Redirects for Permanent Changes
If a page has been permanently moved or removed, always use a 301 redirect. This type tells search engines like Google that the move is permanent, so they’ll update their search results to point to the new page. 301 redirects also help transfer any “link power” from the old page to the new one, which is great for SEO.
3. Avoid Redirect Chains
A redirect chain happens when one page redirects to another, which then redirects to another, and so on. This can slow down your site and confuse both users and search engines. Try to keep redirects direct: always go from the old page straight to the new one.
4. Regularly Check for Broken Links
Use tools like Google Search Console or free online link checkers to regularly look for broken links on your site. When you find one, set up a redirect to keep visitors from ending up on a 404 error page.
5. Review and Update Redirects During SEO Audits
During an SEO audit, check for outdated or unnecessary redirects. As your site grows, you may find that some old redirects aren’t needed anymore. Removing these can help keep your site running faster.
6. Avoid Redirecting Everything to the Homepage
If a page is deleted, try to redirect visitors to a similar, relevant page rather than just sending them to the homepage. This keeps users engaged with your content instead of getting lost on the homepage.
7. Test Redirects After Creating Them
Always test redirects after setting them up to make sure they’re working correctly. This can save you from unexpected errors and helps provide a smooth user experience.
By following these best practices for redirect management, you’ll improve your site’s organization and make it more search engine-friendly, creating a better experience for your customers.
Conclusion
Redirect optimization is key to a user-friendly Shopify store and better search engine rankings. Setting up proper redirects prevents broken links from frustrating customers and shows search engines your site is well-maintained.
Remember these tips: use 301 redirects for permanent changes and 302 redirects for temporary ones, keep a log of redirects for organization, avoid redirect chains, and regularly check for broken links. Conduct SEO audits to update or remove old redirects.
By managing redirects well, you’ll create a smoother experience for visitors and boost your site’s performance in search results. Start optimizing your redirects today!
Don’t Know How to Handle 404 Errors and Redirects?
Struggling with 404 errors that drive customers away? Ready to optimize your Shopify store for a seamless user experience? Let iWebPower guide you in setting up redirects and eliminating those pesky errors. Keep your customers happy, enhance your SEO, and watch your store’s performance soar! Contact iWebPower today to get started!
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