Changing a page URL (slug) can help you improve your site’s SEO, make the URL more user-friendly, or update it to reflect changes in the page content. However, changing a URL should be done carefully, as it can affect existing links, SEO rankings, and user access. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to safely change the page URL using OzSpeed’s hPanel.
Step 1: Access the Page Editor in hPanel #
To start editing the URL of your page, open the Page Editor in hPanel.
- Log in to hPanel at ozspeed.com.au.
- Go to Website Builder > Edit Site.
- Select the page you want to edit from the list of pages.
Tip: #
- Review the page content before changing the URL to ensure it reflects the updated purpose or topic of the page.
Step 2: Navigate to Page Settings #
The URL (slug) can be edited in the Page Settings section of the editor.
How to Access Page Settings: #
- Click on the Settings Icon (gear icon) for the page you want to update.
- Go to the SEO & URL tab.
Tip: #
- Double-check that the page you selected is the correct one before making changes to avoid accidentally updating the wrong URL.
Step 3: Edit the URL Slug #
The URL slug is the part of the URL that comes after your domain name (e.g., “yourdomain.com/new-page-url“).
How to Change the URL Slug: #
- Click on the URL Slug field.
- Enter the new slug using lowercase letters and hyphens (e.g., “new-product-launch”).
- Click Save to apply the changes.
Tip: #
- Keep the URL short, descriptive, and include relevant keywords for better SEO (e.g., “best-seo-tools”).
Step 4: Set Up a 301 Redirect #
If the page was previously published with the old URL, set up a 301 redirect from the old URL to the new one. This helps preserve your SEO rankings and guides users to the correct page.
How to Set Up a 301 Redirect: #
- Go to Website Settings > SEO & Redirects in hPanel.
- Click on Add Redirect.
- Enter the Old URL (e.g., “yourdomain.com/old-url”) and the New URL (e.g., “yourdomain.com/new-url”).
- Choose 301 (Permanent Redirect) and click Save.
Tip: #
- A 301 redirect tells search engines that the URL change is permanent, helping to transfer the SEO value from the old URL to the new one.
Step 5: Update Internal Links #
Ensure that all internal links on your website that pointed to the old URL are updated to reflect the new URL.
How to Update Internal Links: #
- Use the Link Checker tool in hPanel to find any broken or outdated links.
- Edit the affected pages and update the links to the new URL.
- Click Save after making the changes.
Tip: #
- Updating internal links helps prevent broken links and improves user experience.
Step 6: Update Your Sitemap #
After changing the page URL, update your website’s sitemap and resubmit it to Google Search Console for faster indexing.
How to Update the Sitemap: #
- Go to Website Settings > SEO & Analytics.
- Click on Generate New Sitemap.
- Copy the updated sitemap URL (e.g., “yourdomain.com/sitemap.xml”).
- Log in to Google Search Console and go to the Sitemaps section.
- Submit the new sitemap URL and click Submit.
Tip: #
- Updating the sitemap ensures that search engines are aware of the new URL and can index it quickly.
Step 7: Verify the New URL #
Test the new URL to ensure it is working correctly and redirects from the old URL are functioning properly.
How to Verify: #
- Open the new URL in an incognito window to check its functionality.
- Test the old URL to ensure it redirects to the new URL without errors.
- Use tools like Redirect Checker or Google Search Console to verify the 301 redirect status.
Tip: #
- Clear your browser cache and website cache in hPanel to ensure you see the most recent changes.
Troubleshooting Tips #
- New URL Not Updating:
- Make sure you’ve saved the changes in the Page Settings.
- Clear your website cache and browser cache.
- Broken Links After URL Change:
- Use a Link Checker tool to find and fix any broken internal links.
- Set up a 301 redirect for the old URL to guide users to the new page.
- Drop in Search Rankings:
- It’s normal to see a temporary dip in rankings after changing a URL. Monitor your site’s performance using Google Search Console.
- Ensure that the 301 redirect is properly set up and that the new URL is included in your sitemap.
Additional Tips: #
- Keep URLs Simple: Use short, descriptive slugs that are easy for users to read and remember.
- Avoid Frequent URL Changes: Changing URLs too often can harm your SEO. Only update URLs when necessary.
- Communicate Changes: If the page is linked in marketing materials or shared on social media, update those links as well to avoid confusion.
