A URL redirect is a web server function that takes your URL and points it to another. For example, consider, you had the old URL “myvlogsite.com,” and you wanted to visitors’ access directly to the new URL “google.com.” Redirect is the best solution for it; when anyone type “myvlogsite.com” in the browser would be redirected to the new URL “javatpoint.com.” There are various kinds of redirects for web developers, such as HTTP 3xx series status codes, manual redirects, JavaScript, metatag refreshes, server-side scripts, frame redirects, and more. Furthermore, the URL redirect may also be known as URL forwarding, domain forwarding, HTTP code 3xx redirect, and domain redirection.
There are many reasons for web users may be redirected from one URL to another, such are as follows:
- Merging of two websites
- Change of business name
- To direct content to a recently updated domain name
- Landing page-split testing for marketing tests
- To direct traffic toward recently updated content
A URL redirect is also used to cause problems for users and their computers through illegal activities like phishing. Additionally, it can be used to remove the search results of web browsers, but nowadays, most of the search engines are capable of detecting these types of fraud attempts. Redirect a web page, the several HTTP protocol 3xx series codes are the most common way. The members of this series have various attributes, such are as follows:
- The number 300 provides various redirect choices. For instance, an option to select alternative languages.
- The number 301 indicates when a site is moved permanently. For example, when the name of a business has changed.
- The number 302 is used for an unspecified redirect.
- 303 display the output of CGI (common gateway interface) scripts.
- 307 is used, when a site is to be redesigned.
The website address obtains a new URL when a website visitor is redirected to a newly named website URL. Businesses often change their website’s homepage into a redirect page. They transform page with a concurrent message briefly describing the redirect. A meta tag is embedded into the website’s source code behind the scenes. The regular visitors of the website will receive an error message “404 – Not Found” without a redirect.