The short answer
To create a 301 redirect in WordPress, install the free Redirection plugin (or use Rank Math’s Redirections module), go to Tools → Redirection → Add new, enter the old path as the Source URL and the new page as the Target URL, choose 301, and save. For many URLs, import a CSV with old and new URLs. Test each redirect in a private window, then update internal links to point straight to the new URLs.
Before you start
By the end of this SOP
Every old URL sends visitors and Google to the right new page in one hop, with no chains or loops.
- Time
- 15–45 minutes
- You’ll need
- WordPress admin access and a list of old and new URLs.
- Who does this
- The person managing the website; the developer for server-level redirects on very large sites.
About this SOP: why it matters, where and when
Why it matters: Broken old URLs lose traffic from Google, bookmarks, ads and links shared on WhatsApp and social media.
Where: WordPress → Tools → Redirection (or Rank Math → Redirections).
When: When you change a URL, merge pages, delete a page that had traffic or links, or move to a new site.
Stage 1
List the redirects
- 1
In a Google Sheet, make two columns: Source (old path, like /services/dental-implants-kochi/) and Target (new full URL).
- 2
Find old URLs that still get visits or links: Search Console → Pages report (“Not found (404)”), GA4 landing pages, and your old sitemap.
- 3
Point each old URL to the most relevant new page, not the homepage.
Watch out
Mass-redirecting everything to the homepage is treated like a 404 by Google and frustrates visitors.
Stage 2
Add single redirects
- 1
Install and activate the Redirection plugin, then open Tools → Redirection and finish its short setup (let it monitor permalink changes).
- 2
Click Add new. Source URL: the old path. Target URL: the new page. Under the cog, choose HTTP code 301 – Moved Permanently.
- 3
Rank Math users can instead use Rank Math → Redirections → Add New with the same fields. Use one tool, not both.
- 4
Use 302 only for genuinely temporary moves, such as a seasonal page you will bring back.
Stage 3
Add redirects in bulk
- 1
Export your sheet as CSV with columns source and target.
- 2
In Redirection, open Import/Export → Import, choose the CSV and import into the Redirections group.
- 3
Check the number of redirects added matches the number of rows.
Stage 4
Test and clean up
- 1
Open several old URLs in a private window. Each should land on the new page.
- 2
Check for chains (A → B → C) and loops (A → B → A) with a free redirect checker or Screaming Frog. Point every old URL straight to the final page.
- 3
Update internal links, menus and buttons to the new URLs, so visitors don’t go through the redirect at all.
- 4
Update ad final URLs in Google Ads and Meta, and submit the new sitemap in Search Console (SOP 207).
Practice & check
Now do it for real
Reading is not doing. Open your own account and complete this task before you move on.
Practice task (5 min)
Change the URL of a test page, add a 301 from the old URL, test it in a private window, and fix one internal link that pointed to the old URL.
Prove it
Two questions. Get both right and this SOP is done.
Common questions
Do 301 redirects lose SEO value?
Google passes ranking signals through 301 redirects. The bigger risks are redirecting to an irrelevant page or leaving chains.
How long should I keep redirects?
At least a year, and ideally for good. They cost almost nothing and old links keep working.
Is the Redirection plugin free?
Yes. It’s free and widely used. Rank Math’s free version also includes a redirect manager.
Done. That’s a real skill, not a certificate.
Next: SOP 317 — Add and Test Schema Markup in WordPress →
Want to do this on real client budgets, with a mentor checking your work? That’s Level 2 at Unlearn. See the Digital Marketing track