Redirect broken links to Specific Textpattern Sections

Algaris · 2011-09-27 09:32:07

I’ve just recently redesigned a website using Textpattern. Unfortunately when searching for the company Google remembers a lot of the old now broken links for the website. Anyone who tries clicking on them will get a 404 error.

Is there a way I can put a redirect in place to forward people to the new location of the page they are trying to view. For instance instead of http://www.example.com/contact.asp redirect them to http://www.example.com/contact

Alternatively is there a way to make Google forget the old links?

Last edited by Algaris (2011-09-27 09:34:04)

Bloke · 2011-09-27 09:37:40

Algaris wrote:

Is there a way I can put a redirect in place to forward people to the new location of the page they are trying to view.

You’re on Windoze, right? So no .htaccess?

As it happens I had exactly this requirement for a site last night and guess what; I’ve written a plugin to do exactly what you describe. It’s very rough proof-of-concept at the moment (requiring you to edit the code to add redirect rules to a table) but I’ve begun work on the admin interface to sexy it up a bit. What’s your timescales on this one? I could shove an advance copy your way if you don’t mind a bit of brick dust floating around.

I can advise on another way to approach it by writing some code in your error_default page to catch 404s and shove people elsewhere but it’ll probably end up being most of this new plugin’s code anyway.

Algaris · 2011-09-27 09:51:33

Well it’s not urgent as yet but my boss did ask me what could be done about it today after receiving feedback on the website. I could earn some brownie points if I fix it quickly without spending too much time on it.

Providing I don’t have to hack too much (PHP / JavaScript) code around and there’s an easy upgrade path when you release the full version I don’t mind things being a little rough around the edges.

Thankfully the schools main website is externally hosted on a Linux server, it’s only the calendar which had to be on Windows.

maniqui · 2011-09-27 12:24:54

You could try:

plain Apache redirects (Redirect /old_page.html http://www.mysite.com/new_page/) in the .htaccess file.
arc_redirect
aks_header

Bloke · 2011-09-27 12:46:51

maniqui wrote:

arc_redirect

This is the closest thing I could find to my propsed plugin so if you are in need of something now I heartily recommend this one.

Mine is basically the same approach; it only differs in that it will allow you to do a bit more. Namely wildcard matches, replacements and rule ordering. Also, it does not rely on a 404 being generated: you could redirect anything to anything else. Sort of a poor-man’s gbp_permanent_links mixed with arc_redirect and zem_redirect.

So, on reflection it sounds like for your case my solution would be overkill. Go with Andy’s plugin. You won’t regret it.

Last edited by Bloke (2011-09-27 12:48:01)

Algaris · 2011-09-27 13:22:14

Okay I’ll go with arc_redirect then. Thank you both for the advice.

Your plugin does sound very interesting Stef. Give me a nudge when it’s doen and I’ll take it for a spin (time permitting).

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#1 2011-09-27 09:32:07

Redirect broken links to Specific Textpattern Sections

#2 2011-09-27 09:37:40

Re: Redirect broken links to Specific Textpattern Sections

#3 2011-09-27 09:51:33

Re: Redirect broken links to Specific Textpattern Sections

#4 2011-09-27 12:24:54

Re: Redirect broken links to Specific Textpattern Sections

#5 2011-09-27 12:46:51

Re: Redirect broken links to Specific Textpattern Sections

#6 2011-09-27 13:22:14

Re: Redirect broken links to Specific Textpattern Sections

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