How to Create a 301 Redirect in .htaccess

What .htaccess redirects do — 301 vs 302

A 301 tells browsers and Google 'permanently moved' — rankings and link equity transfer; a 302 says 'temporarily away' and passes far less. Create one like this:

1. Open .htaccess — cPanel > File Manager > Settings > tick 'Show Hidden Files (dotfiles)' > navigate to public_html.
2. Download a copy first (right-click > Download) — that is your rollback.
3. Add the rule for a single page: Redirect 301 /old-page/ https://www.yoursite.com/new-page/
4. Save, then reload the site — one change, one test.
5. On any 500 error, rename .htaccess to .htaccess.broken (site returns) and reapply from backup more carefully.

WordPress sites: keep new rules outside the BEGIN/END WordPress comment blocks. Domain-wide, HTTPS and www rules follow below.

Finding and editing .htaccess in cPanel safely

Two practical notes on .htaccess: it interacts directly with caching and database response, and misconfiguration is the most common cause of 'hosting is slow' tickets. WebJi® support checks it as part of standard migrations.

Redirect a single page (Redirect 301)

Redirect a single page (Redirect 301). Do the change this heading names on one site first, then check it in a private browser window or in the mail client, depending on the topic. Change one setting at a time, and undo it if the result is wrong before you try the next. If you want the Jaipur desk to look with you, email support@webji.services — that mailbox is staffed 24/7 in Hindi and English. Phone +91 141 4941811 is business hours only.

Redirect an entire domain to a new one

Two practical notes on RewriteEngine On: it interacts directly with caching and database response, and misconfiguration is the most common cause of 'hosting is slow' tickets. WebJi® support checks it as part of standard migrations.

Force HTTPS and canonical www/non-www

Install the certificate on the account that actually serves the site, force HTTPS, then view the page source for http:// images, stylesheets or scripts. The padlock stays broken until those are HTTPS too. Renewal should be automatic; if the padlock disappears, check that the certificate is still bound to this hostname.

Query strings and folder-to-page rewrites

Two practical notes on RewriteRule: it interacts directly with caching and database response, and misconfiguration is the most common cause of 'hosting is slow' tickets. WebJi® support checks it as part of standard migrations.

The 500-error rollback plan

A syntax error in .htaccess takes the site down instantly — it parses on every request — so the rollback plan is part of the edit workflow, not an afterthought:

• Keep a downloaded copy from before every editing session (the step-one download).

• If the site 500s after a save, rename .htaccess to .htaccess.broken via File Manager — the site returns immediately because Apache finds no config to misparse.

• Reintroduce your rules in halves: paste the first rule, save, test; then the next. The rule that breaks the site identifies itself.

WordPress sites should also know that plugins and the core rewrite block can regenerate .htaccess — the full .htaccess guide maps the file's other duties.