.htaccess Redirects: A Complete Guide

.htaccess files, residing on the server, control website behavior, especially redirects crucial for SEO and user experience. Redirects ensure users and search engines reach the correct page after URL changes, preserving SEO value from backlinks. Accessing and editing .htaccess files can be done through the hosting provider's control panel (often cPanel) or via FTP clients like FileZilla. A crucial first step is backing up the .htaccess file before making any changes, as mistakes can break the site. While WordPress users often use plugins for redirects (Redirection, 301 Redirects, Rank Math), direct .htaccess edits offer faster performance for complex scenarios or large-scale migrations. The article details various redirect types: single URL redirects (using `Redirect 301` for permanent and `302` for temporary redirects), subfolder redirects (`RewriteEngine On` and `RewriteRule`), and redirects to different domains. Subfolder redirects can be complex if multiple redirects are required, with careful ordering needed to avoid conflicts. The article thoroughly explains the importance of order in .htaccess rules. The guide covers redirecting `www` to non-`www` (or vice versa) and forcing HTTPS (`RewriteCond %{HTTPS} off`). It also touches upon more advanced redirects based on query parameters, specific ports, custom error pages, file types, and trailing slashes. The article emphasizes the importance of understanding the symbols and flags used in .htaccess rules, providing a cheat sheet for reference. Finally, it details methods for testing redirects, from manual browser checks to using online tools and comprehensive site audit tools like Semrush to check for issues like redirect loops and incorrect status codes.

(Source: https://backlinko.com/htaccess-redirect)