Redirection - 2006

[chabrenas]

I've seen a few old threads on this subject, but thought it wiser to start a new one, since search engine algorithms are likely to have changed.

- I am about to convert an old site, with good Google ratings and lots of good inbound links, to Actinic Catalog. All point to one or other of a very small number of pages (about 5 or 6).

- If I put Redirect metatags in the existing landing pages, the inbound links will get redirected to the replacement pages, but will Google and other search engines penalise the change? If so, is there a way to force Actinic Catalog to give the critical pages the same URL as they used to have, rather than the ones it would normally generate?

[Duncan Rounding]

I believe your best bet (if on a Linux server) is to use permanent redirects in an .htaccess file from your old pages to your new ones. My recent post related to this might be of interest:
http://community.actinic.com/showthread.php?t=20693

[chabrenas]

Thanks, Duncan. A while since I'd looked at TamingTheBeast, too. .htaccess is clearly the way to go. My own host is Apache-based - I'd better check the one I'll be working on, though, and get the whole caboodle moved if it isn't!

[chabrenas]

Just out of curiosity - is there a solution for those who have Microsft hosts?

[chabrenas]

I may have found my own answer. In any case, for those wanting to know more about .htaccess I recommend http://www.freewebmasterhelp.com/tutorials/htaccess/