What Is Redirect?
A redirect is an instruction that automatically sends visitors (and search engines) from one URL to another. In the domain world, redirects are used for domain consolidation, brand migrations, forwarding alternate domains, and preserving SEO value when changing URLs.
The two main types are 301 (permanent redirect — transfers SEO value) and 302 (temporary redirect — does not transfer SEO value). For domain-level redirects, 301 is almost always correct. Using a 302 when you mean 301 means losing SEO authority that took years to build.
Redirects can be set up through your registrar (simple URL forwarding), your web server configuration (Apache, Nginx), your hosting platform (Cloudflare Page Rules), or your application code.
Why This Matters for Startups
You'll use redirects frequently: forwarding defensive domain registrations to your main site, redirecting www to non-www (or vice versa), handling URL changes during site redesigns, and managing domain migrations during rebrands. Always use 301 redirects for permanent changes. Keep old redirects active for at least 1–2 years — users and search engines need time to update their references.
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