9.18 URL Redirects

Purpose:

Set up automatic forwarding from one URL path to another within the domains connected to your Close Master account. This is important for:

  • Maintaining SEO Value: When you redesign your website or change the URL of an important page (like a popular blog post or service page), a Permanent (301) redirect tells search engines and browsers that the page has moved permanently, transferring most of the old URL's ranking authority to the new one.
  • Fixing Broken Links: Redirect old bookmark links or links from external sites pointing to pages that no longer exist to the most relevant current page.
  • Creating Vanity URLs: Set up short, memorable URL paths that redirect to longer, more complex ones (e.g., youragency.com/valuation redirects to youragency.com/funnels/seller-lead-gen-v2/step-1).

Managing Redirects:

  1. Navigate to Settings → URL Redirects.
  2. Click + Add Redirect.
  3. Configure the Redirect:
    • From Path: Enter the old or vanity URL path that you want to redirect *from*. Do not include the domain name, only the part after the / (e.g., /old-listing-page, /contactus, /free-cma).
    • Redirect Type: Choose:
      • Permanent (301): (Most common and recommended for SEO) Use when a page has moved permanently. Tells search engines to update their index.
      • Temporary (302): Use only if the redirect is temporary (e.g., redirecting during site maintenance). Does not pass SEO value as strongly.
    • To Target URL/Path: Enter the full destination URL (including https://) OR just the new internal path where you want visitors to end up (e.g., https://youragency.com/current-listings/123-main-st or /contact).
    • Domain: Select the specific connected Domain that this redirect rule should apply to from the dropdown list.
  4. Click Save. The redirect should become active shortly.
  5. Manage Existing Redirects: View, edit, or delete existing redirects from the list in the URL Redirects settings page.

Use redirects strategically to ensure a smooth user experience and preserve your website's search engine visibility when making changes to your site structure or URLs.