What are the best practices for using .htaccess redirects?

What are the best practices for using .htaccess redirects?

The best practices for .htaccess redirects include using 301 redirects for permanent changes, ensuring the redirect paths are correct, and minimizing redirect chains to improve load times.

Why should I use a 301 redirect instead of a 302?

A 301 redirect indicates that a page has permanently moved, which helps preserve SEO rankings. A 302 redirect is temporary and may not pass the same SEO value.

How can I avoid redirect loops?

To avoid redirect loops, ensure that your redirect rules are not conflicting and that they don't point back to themselves. Testing your redirects before implementation is crucial.

Can you give me an example of a redirect rule?

Sure! A simple 301 redirect rule in .htaccess would look like this: Redirect 301 /old-page.html http://www.example.com/new-page.html.