How to Set Up a Redirect Using hPanel on OzSpeed

Setting up a redirect allows you to forward visitors from one URL to another automatically. Redirects are commonly used when you want to direct traffic from an old domain to a new one, fix broken links, or set up a more user-friendly URL. With OzSpeed’s hPanel, you can easily configure various types of redirects. Here’s how to do it step-by-step.

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Types of Redirects #

Before setting up a redirect, it’s important to understand the different types:

1. 301 Redirect (Permanent Redirect):
   • Used when a page has moved permanently.
   • Tells search engines to update their index to the new URL.
   • Best for SEO as it preserves the page’s ranking.
2. 302 Redirect (Temporary Redirect):
   • Used when a page is temporarily unavailable.
   • Does not update the search engine index, as the change is not permanent.
3. Meta Refresh Redirect:
   • Typically used for a brief redirection delay.
   • Not recommended for SEO as it may cause a negative user experience.

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Step 1: Log in to hPanel #

1. Visit ozspeed.com.au and log in to your hPanel Dashboard using your credentials.
2. Navigate to the Domains section.

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Step 2: Open the Redirects Tool #

1. Click on “Redirects” in the Domains section.
2. You will see a form to configure the redirect settings.

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Step 3: Set Up the Redirect #

How to Create a 301 (Permanent) Redirect: #

1. In the Redirect Type dropdown menu, select 301 (Permanent).
2. In the Domain field, choose the domain or subdomain you want to redirect (e.g., yourdomain.com).
3. In the Redirect to field, enter the destination URL (e.g., https://newdomain.com).
4. Click “Create Redirect”.

How to Create a 302 (Temporary) Redirect: #

1. Select 302 (Temporary) from the Redirect Type dropdown.
2. Enter the source domain or URL and the destination URL.
3. Click “Create Redirect”.

Tip: #

• Use a 301 redirect for permanent URL changes, as it helps maintain SEO rankings.

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Step 4: Verify the Redirect #

1. Open a new browser window or tab.
2. Enter the original URL (the one you redirected).
3. Check if it automatically forwards to the new destination URL.

Troubleshooting: #

• If the redirect does not work immediately, it could be due to DNS propagation. Wait for up to 24-48 hours.
• Clear your browser cache or try using an Incognito window to see the changes.

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Step 5: Edit or Delete an Existing Redirect #

1. Go back to the Redirects section in hPanel.
2. You will see a list of active redirects.
3. To edit, click on the “Edit” button next to the redirect.
4. To delete, click “Delete” and confirm the action.

Tip: #

• Regularly review your redirects to ensure they are still relevant and working correctly.

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Additional Redirect Methods #

Using .htaccess (Advanced) #

If you are comfortable editing server files, you can set up redirects directly in the .htaccess file.

1. Go to File Manager in hPanel.
2. Open the public_html directory and find the .htaccess file.
3. Add the following code for a 301 redirect:

apacheCopy codeRedirect 301 /old-page.html https://yourdomain.com/new-page.html

4. Save the file and check if the redirect works.

Tip: #

• Be cautious when editing the .htaccess file, as incorrect entries can affect your website’s functionality.

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Common Use Cases for Redirects #

1. Domain Change:
   • Redirect all traffic from oldsite.com to newsite.com using a 301 redirect.
2. Fix Broken Links:
   • Redirect traffic from deleted or outdated pages to relevant, active pages.
3. HTTPS Redirection:
   • Redirect all HTTP traffic to HTTPS for secure browsing.
4. URL Shortening:
   • Create a shorter URL (e.g., yourdomain.com/promo) that redirects to a longer URL (e.g., https://yourdomain.com/long-promotion-url).

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Additional Tips: #

• Monitor Redirects: Use Google Analytics or other tracking tools to monitor redirected traffic and check for any issues.
• Test Regularly: Periodically test your redirects to ensure they are still active and correctly configured.
• SEO Considerations: Use 301 redirects for permanent changes to avoid losing search engine rankings.