A domain redirect is a strategic method used to seamlessly forward users and search engines from one domain or URL to another. This technique is essential during website migrations, brand transitions, or URL structure updates, ensuring that traffic, SEO rankings, and user experience remain uninterrupted.

At AvaHost, domain redirection is handled with precision and flexibility, whether you’re consolidating multiple domains, launching a new brand identity, or restructuring your site. Our platform supports both temporary (302) and permanent (301) redirects, enabling you to preserve link equity and maintain consistent access for visitors — all with minimal configuration through our intuitive control panel.

Types of Domain Redirects

1. 301 Redirect (Permanent Redirect)

A 301 redirect permanently redirects one URL to another and passes nearly all SEO value to the new URL.

Use Cases:

  • Moving a website to a new domain.
  • Redirecting old pages to updated URLs.
  • Consolidating multiple domains into one.

Example (Apache .htaccess file):

Redirect 301 /old-page.html https://example.com/new-page.html

2. 302 Redirect (Temporary Redirect)

A 302 redirect temporarily directs users to a new URL without passing SEO value permanently.

Use Cases:

  • Testing a new website or page.
  • Redirecting users during website maintenance.

Example (Nginx configuration):

rewrite ^/old-page$ https://example.com/new-page temporary;

3. Meta Refresh Redirect

A meta refresh redirect is executed at the page level instead of the server level.

Use Cases:

  • Briefly displaying a message before redirecting.
  • Lightweight alternative when server-side redirects are not possible.

Example (HTML meta tag):

<meta http-equiv="refresh" content="5; url=https://example.com/new-page">

(This redirects after 5 seconds.)

4. JavaScript Redirect

JavaScript-based redirects occur client-side and require JavaScript to be enabled in the browser.

Use Cases:

  • Redirecting users based on conditions (e.g., location, device type).

Example:

window.location.href = "https://example.com/new-page";

How to Set Up a Redirect

Using .htaccess (For Apache Servers)

Edit the .htaccess file in the root directory:

RewriteEngine On
RewriteRule ^old-page$ /new-page [R=301,L]

Using Nginx

Edit the Nginx configuration file:

server {
    listen 80;
    server_name olddomain.com;
    return 301 https://newdomain.com$request_uri;
}

Restart Nginx to apply the changes:

sudo systemctl restart nginx

Using cPanel

  1. Log in to cPanel.
  2. Navigate to Domains > Redirects.
  3. Choose the redirect type (301 or 302), enter the old and new URLs, and save changes.

Best Practices for Domain Redirects

  • Use 301 redirects for permanent moves to maintain SEO rankings.
  • Minimize redirect chains to improve loading speed.
  • Test redirects using tools like Google’s URL Inspection Tool.

Conclusion

Domain redirects are essential for managing website migrations, consolidations, and improving user experience. Whether using 301, 302, or JavaScript-based redirects, implementing them correctly ensures seamless navigation for users and search engines.