Changing a page URL? Preserve the old links

A rebrand or new service structure may require new page URLs. Business cards, old messages, and search results can still point to the previous addresses. A sudden error page loses the customer. Treat a URL change as a managed handoff.

Make an inventory first

Put the old URL, new URL, page title, and internal links in a short table. Pick the closest real destination for each old page. Sending every old address to the home page often fails to answer what the visitor came for. If content has no replacement, handle that clearly.

Move once, then update references

When the new page is ready, set a permanent redirect from the old address to the relevant destination. Update navigation, article links, editable profiles, and documents. Canonical tags and the sitemap should show the new URL. If the domain itself changed, retain control of the old one during the transition.

Test the old route

Open several old URLs directly and confirm they reach the right page without a long redirect chain. Test booking actions from the new page too. Thinking ahead when choosing a domain and page slug reduces avoidable moves.