Powered by Network Solutions: How to Create a 301 Redirect
To redirect a site permanently, one should use a 301 redirect. This type of redirect is best for SEO purposes and also informs the search engines that the site has moved permanently. If you change your domain name and want to point to a different URL, a 301 redirect is your best choice.
This is also the preferred type of redirect to use when configuring an SSL certificate, where you want to redirect your site visitors from a non-secure address like http://example.com to a secure address like https://exampledomain.com.
The 301 Redirect setup steps are different based on how your website was built. For WordPress users, a Plugin can be used to configure the 301 Redirect (Out of our Scope of Support). Or you may contact us for Professional Services
Once a 301 redirect is set, the update should be instantaneous.
The .htaccess editor is a powerful tool with which advanced users can customize their website. When using this tool, your first step will always be to select the domain and directory where you are applying the changes.
Follow the steps below to create a 301 redirect.
- Log in to your account via https://www.networksolutions.com/my-account/login.
- Click Hosting on the left navigation menu.
Note: Alternatively, if you have multiple hosting accounts, you need to click MANAGE first to proceed with Step 3. - Click .htaccess Editor.
- Select the domain from the drop-down menu, then click Use Direct Editor to proceed.
Note: It is important to select the right domain name in this field so the 301 redirect will be applied to the correct website. - In the DIRECT EDITOR section, scripts can be added to this space.
- Add one of the following code snippets into your .htaccess file (based on what you want to do).
Old to a new domain - Change the word "OLDDOMAIN" to the old domain name you want to redirect to and change the "NEWDOMAIN" to the new domain name it is redirecting to.
RewriteCond %{HTTP_HOST} ^OLDDOMAIN.com [NC,OR]
RewriteCond %{HTTP_HOST} ^www.OLDDOMAIN.com [NC]
RewriteRule ^(.*)$ http://NEWDOMAIN.net/$1 [L,R=301,NC]
HTTPS - Redirect for SSL Certificate, change the word "DOMAIN" to the domain name that requires the redirect from HTTP to HTTPS. Click Save.
RewriteCond %{HTTP_HOST} ^DOMAIN.com [NC]
RewriteCond %{SERVER_PORT} 80
RewriteRule ^(.*)$ https://www.DOMAIN.com/$1 [R=301,L]
- If there is already a RewriteEngine in your .htaccess file, only copy the rest of the code.
- When you’re editing your .htaccess file, it is essential to note that lines beginning with a hashtag are comments and are not included in the .htaccess rule. When you’re adding rules, you must include them either above or below the default rule.
Review
A 301 redirect is the recommended way to permanently send visitors from one web address to another. It’s helpful for SEO and for switching from HTTP to HTTPS. If you're using Network Solutions, you can set this up in the .htaccess editor, but be careful—this tool is for advanced users, and mistakes can cause your site to stop working. Make sure you select the right domain and follow the steps closely.