1. 301 Redirect (Permanent Redirect)
A 301 redirect is essential for permanently moving a website to a new domain or relocating content to a different URL.
Use cases:
Domain changes or rebranding
Consolidating multiple websites or URLs
Replacing outdated URLs with new ones
It informs search engines of the change, prompting them to update their index. Visitors are automatically sent to the new domain or URL without any action required.
For SEO, a 301 redirect is beneficial because it transfers ranking and link authority from the old domain to the new one, making it ideal for permanently consolidating websites or moving domains.
As a reseller, offering this solution helps clients maintain traffic and rankings during domain transitions. With Verpex’s Reseller Hosting, implementing 301 redirects is simple through the hosting dashboard.
Example:
HTTP/1.1 301 Moved Permanently
Location: http://newdomain.com
By enabling 301 redirects, you provide a seamless website transition experience while preserving SEO performance for your clients.
When set correctly, this type of redirect ensures users and bots are sent to the correct address while preserving SEO authority and existing backlinks.
2. 302 Redirect (Temporary Redirect)
A 302 redirect temporarily moves a website or page to a different domain or URL. It informs browsers and search engines that the change is not permanent, so the original domain remains the primary one.
Use cases:
Site maintenance or downtime
A/B testing different landing pages
Short-term promotional redirects
This type of redirect is often used for site maintenance, testing, or temporary campaigns, as search engines may continue to index the original domain.
Resellers can offer 302 redirects to clients who need temporary solutions without affecting their site's long-term rankings. Verpex’s Reseller Hosting simplifies this process, allowing easy setup through the hosting dashboard.
Example:
HTTP/1.1 302 Found
Location: http://newdomain.com
A 302 redirect is useful for managing temporary website transitions while maintaining the original domain’s relevance. This is helpful when you don't want search engines to update their index, but still need to temporarily guide visitors elsewhere.
3. 307 Redirect (Temporary Redirect for HTTP 1.1)
A 307 redirect is a temporary redirect designed for HTTP 1.1 protocol requirements. 307 is the HTTP/1.1-compliant version of 302.
Use cases:
Unlike 302, which can change the method from POST to GET, 307 preserves the HTTP method, making it more predictable and safer for form submissions. It ensures that both the user's browser and search engines recognize the original domain or URL, maintaining compatibility with older browsers or infrastructure.
This redirect is ideal for resellers working with clients who need to temporarily redirect domains during activities such as site maintenance or A/B testing. It allows for full functionality while safeguarding the user experience and SEO value.
Example:
HTTP/1.1 307 Temporary Redirect
Location: http://newdomain.com
Selecting the right redirect type, such as the 307, is crucial for facilitating smooth transitions and preserving SEO during temporary changes.
While browsers treat 302 and 307 similarly, 307 ensures the method used in the original request remains unchanged.
4. 308 Redirect (Permanent – HTTP/1.1-Compliant)
A 308 redirect is similar to 301, but it also preserves the original request method. This is particularly useful for APIs or systems where POST, PUT, or DELETE methods must remain intact.
Use cases:
Example:
HTTP/1.1 308 Permanent Redirect
Location: http://newdomain.com
Though not yet supported by all older browsers, 308 is gaining traction for modern web applications and RESTful services.
Redirect Methods Compared
Method | Control Level | SEO Friendly | Use Case |
|---|
Registrar Dashboard | Low | ✅ Yes (301/302) | Quick URL forwarding |
Hosting Control Panel | Medium | ✅ Yes (301/302) | Redirect full domains or folders |
.htaccess (Apache) | High | ✅ Yes | File-level and URL-specific rules |
nginx.conf (NGINX) | High | ✅ Yes | Full control, very fast |
CMS Plugins | Medium | ✅ Yes | CMS-managed redirects |
JavaScript Redirect | Low | ❌ No | Client-side flows or UI cases |
Meta Refresh Tag | Low | ❌ No | Legacy/temporary methods |
2 Common Ways to Redirect a Domain
1. Redirecting a Domain via Domain Registrar
A domain registrar is a service where you register and manage your domain names. Most registrars offer a control panel where you can configure DNS records, name servers, and domain-level settings—including domain redirection.
How to Set Up a Domain Redirect Using Your Registrar’s Control Panel
If you want to forward one domain to another (e.g., redirect example.net to example.com), most registrars make this process simple through their dashboard.
Steps to follow:
Log in to your domain registrar account.
Navigate to the domain management or dashboard section.
Select the domain you want to redirect from your list of registered domains.
Locate the redirect settings. Look for terms like:
“Forwarding”
“Domain Forwarding”
“URL Redirect”
Enter the destination URL (where the traffic should go).
Choose your redirect type:
301 (Permanent) – Best for SEO and long-term changes.
302 (Temporary) – For short-term use, like campaigns or testing.
Save your changes.
Once saved, your domain will begin forwarding traffic based on the rules you've set—no additional configuration needed.
2. Redirecting a Domain via Web Hosting Service
Redirecting a domain through your web hosting control panel gives you more flexibility and centralized control—especially if you're already managing files, databases, and email in the same environment. This method is ideal for resellers, developers, or site owners consolidating their domain and hosting operations.
How to Set Up Domain Redirection via Your Hosting Control Panel
Steps to follow:
Log in to your web hosting account.
Access the control panel (e.g., cPanel, Plesk) provided by your hosting provider.
Navigate to the domain management or redirection section.
Select the domain you wish to redirect.
Look for options such as:
“Domain Redirect”
“URL Forwarding”
“Manage Redirections”
Enter the destination URL (where the traffic should be forwarded).
Choose your redirect type:
Save your changes.
After saving, your domain traffic will begin redirecting as specified. Hosting-based redirects are effective for full-site transitions or multi-domain setups.