This tool from Moz can help you identify problems with 301 redirects
Every new year a number of businesses launch a new website, just like a number of people join a gym to get into shape. And as many newbies to a gym overlook certain steps in their regimen, many new sites overlook how to retain traffic from their old.
In short, they overlook how to use a 301.
Part of analytic services include a diagnostic in assessing how pages are accessed. One aspect that can come up in site redesign.
Background
First, let’s understand the basics for 301 code.
A 301 redirect is a server code that indicates to search engines that a certain page has been changed. The advantage of 301 redirects is that traffic is not loss due to a permanent change in website layout.
So traffic that heads to www.yourwebsite.com/oldpage can go to www.yourwebsite.com/newpage.
There are a number of ways that a 301 redirect is installed. Most methods depend on the programming language that powers a site, but all have a similar implementation protocol, to add a minor code indicator in the header.
There are other ways to indicate a change. Many servers use a file called the .htaccess file to add an indicator for page redirects. The file is placed in the host directory for the site.
To add a redirect, the .htaccess file is opened, and a line is added to the text in the file that indicates a redirect. Apache .htacess files use the following line:
Redirect/old_dir/ www.oldwebsite.com/new_dir/new file.html
Too many redirects ruin the optimization
A word of caution: using 301 redirects for URLs require judgement for the amount of usage. A few can make sense for a small site, and will not penalize search engine optimization. But creating a chain of redirects towards single URL can confuse search engines and can increase the time to load the desired end page because URL redirections triggers extra HTTP requests.
Tools
Some tools can use detect the presence of 301 redirects. Open Site Explorer can be used to highlight pages where 301 codes occurred (as well as 302s while you are at it). Go to Open Site Explorer and enter the website URL. Then select inbound links, then select the type of link that is the source of the connection.
Another, Content Forest,has a 301 and 302 creator online. For more on the difference on 302s and 301s, read this brief Zimana post.
Overall consider the purpose for 301s. The ultimate usage is for pages that clearly have no purpose, such as a page made to describe a service which is no longer available.
