301 Redirects vs. Exact URLs for Expired Domains
I’ve been considering recreating the exact URLs for some of my expired domain pages that have garnered a significant number of backlinks. However, the current URL slugs are not very appealing.
Would it be beneficial to use a 301 redirect to point these to a new, more relevant URL with a cleaner slug? Or should I expect to lose some authority because it’s a redirect instead of a direct link?
One response to “301 redirects vs exact url (Expired domains)”
Using 301 redirects is generally considered a good practice for preserving link equity when dealing with expired domains. When you redirect an old URL to a new one, search engines typically pass a significant amount of the original page’s authority to the new URL. However, it’s important to note that some authority may still be lost in the process due to the redirect itself.
Here are a few considerations that might help you decide:
Link Equity Preservation: A 301 redirect will pass most of the link authority from the old URL to the new URL. While you may lose a small percentage, it is often better than starting from scratch, especially if the old URL has considerable backlinks.
User Experience: If the old URL is ugly and doesn’t reflect your brand well, creating a more user-friendly URL for your new content can improve user experience. Redirecting the old URL to a more appealing one helps maintain traffic while giving visitors a better experience when they land on your site.
Relevance of Content: Ensure that the new URL is contextually relevant to the old content. If the content aligns well with the new slugs, then a redirect can be beneficial in maintaining user engagement and reducing bounce rates.
New Content vs. Legacy Content: If you’re creating completely new content that only shares a few similarities with the old content, you might want to consider what’s best for both your SEO strategy and your audience. In some cases, if the context has changed significantly, a full redirect may not be ideal.
Monitoring Performance: After implementing the redirects, closely monitor the performance through analytics. Track metrics like traffic, bounce rate, and ranking positions for both the old and new URLs to ensure that you’re benefiting from the redirect.
In summary, a 301 redirect to a new, more relevant URL can be a worthwhile strategy to maintain authority and improve user experience. Just be sure to implement it correctly and continuously monitor its impact.