Htaccess Redirect Generator

Looking to fix broken links, move pages, or switch domains without losing traffic? GoogieHost’s Htaccess Redirect Generator makes creating clean, SEO‑friendly redirects effortless—no coding required. Use it to set up 301/302 redirects, force HTTPS or www/non‑www, and keep users (and search engines) on the right path with just a few clicks.

What is GoogieHost’s Htaccess Redirect Generator?

GoogieHost’s Htaccess Redirect Generator is a free, easy‑to‑use tool that creates ready‑to‑paste Apache .htaccess rules for common redirection tasks. Simply choose your redirect type, enter the source and destination URLs (or patterns), and the tool outputs optimized mod_rewrite code you can drop into your site’s .htaccess file. It’s perfect for URL changes, site migrations, consolidating www/non‑www versions, forcing HTTPS, and cleaning up duplicate content.

How do I Use the Htaccess Redirect Generator?

Follow these steps exactly as they appear on the screen in the image.

Step 1: Open the tool

• Go to the Htaccess Redirect Generator page and ensure the form is visible with the “Enter a domain name” field, redirect‑type options, and the blue Generate button.

Step 2: Enter your domain

• Click inside “Enter a domain name.”
• Type the root domain only, without any path or protocol (example: example.com).

Step 3: Choose the redirect type

• Pick one of the two radio options:
• Redirect from www to non‑www (forces https://example.com)
• Redirect from non‑www to www (forces https://www.example.com)
• Select the version that matches the preferred canonical domain.

Step 4: Generate rules

• Click the blue “Generate” button.
• The tool will output ready‑to‑paste .htaccess code for your chosen canonical redirect.

Step 5: Back up your current .htaccess

• Before making changes, download a copy of the existing .htaccess from your site’s document root (often public_html) using your hosting File Manager or FTP.

Step 6: Apply the code

• Open .htaccess in a text editor.
• Paste the generated rules near the top of the file, above other rewrite rules (WordPress or CMS rules usually start with “# BEGIN …”).

Step 7: Save and test

• Save the file and reload your site.
• Visit both versions of the homepage:
• http://example.com
• http://www.example.com
• Confirm both redirect to the single preferred version with HTTPS and the correct www/non‑www format.

Step 8: Verify with a status checker

• Use an HTTP status checker to ensure the response is 301 Moved Permanently and there are no redirect chains or loops.

Step 9: Clear caches

• Purge any server, plugin, or CDN cache so the redirect behavior updates immediately.

Step 10: Repeat for staging or subfolders (if needed)

• If using staging or subdirectories with their own .htaccess, repeat the process there, ensuring rules don’t conflict.

Who Benefits from the Htaccess Redirect Generator

• Website owners migrating to a new domain or restructuring URLs
• SEO specialists fixing broken links and consolidating link equity
• Developers and agencies standardizing URL formats across projects
• Bloggers and creators rebranding or pruning old content
• E‑commerce stores managing seasonal URLs or platform changes
• Sysadmins ensuring canonical, secure access (HTTPS, trailing slash)

Benefits of Using GoogieHost’s Htaccess Redirect Generator

• SEO‑safe by design: Generates 301 and 302 rules that preserve rankings and consolidate authority across variations like http/https and www/non‑www.
• Fast and error‑free: Avoid manual regex mistakes with clean, validated mod_rewrite snippets.
• Covers popular use cases: Single URL, wildcard/folder redirects, force HTTPS, canonical domain, trailing slash, file‑to‑file, and full domain migration.
• Lightweight and secure: No server install needed—just copy, paste, and go.
• Future‑proof structure: Uses best‑practice ordering to minimize conflicts with existing rules.
• Works at scale: Redirect individual pages or entire directories with pattern‑based rules.

Why Choose GoogieHost’s Htaccess Redirect Generator?

• Built by hosting pros: Crafted with real‑world hosting and SEO experience for reliability and performance.
• Human‑friendly UX: Clear inputs, example presets, and copy‑ready output anyone can use.
• Clean, minimal code: Optimized rules that load fast and avoid redirect chains or loops.
• Free and unlimited: Generate as many rules as needed without sign‑ups or paywalls.
• Backed by GoogieHost: A trusted name in hosting with support resources and tools that grow with your site.

FAQs

Will my SEO be affected by these redirects?

• Properly implemented 301 redirects preserve most link equity and signal a permanent move, helping maintain rankings and consolidate duplicates. Use 301 for permanent changes (e.g., site migration, URL cleanup) and 302 for temporary moves (e.g., A/B tests, seasonal pages). Avoid chains (A→B→C) and loops to keep crawl efficiency high.

How do I apply the generated .htaccess code to my website?

• Step 1: Back up your current .htaccess file (download a copy via FTP/File Manager).
• Step 2: Open the .htaccess file in the site’s document root (usually public_html or your app’s root).
• Step 3: Paste the generated rules near the top, above other rewrite rules, unless instructed otherwise.
• Step 4: Save and test: Open the source URLs in an incognito window and verify the destination using your browser’s developer tools (Network tab shows 301/302 status).
• Tip: Clear any server/CDN cache after changes.

What happens if my .htaccess file has existing rules?

• That’s common. Place canonical/HTTPS/domain rules before CMS‑specific rewrites (like WordPress) to ensure they execute first. Keep redirect logic grouped and avoid duplicates. If two rules target the same path, the first matching rule usually wins—merge or remove conflicts. Always test after each change to spot unintended matches or loops.

Can I use this tool if my site is not on Apache?

• The generated rules are for Apache (.htaccess with mod_rewrite). For Nginx, LiteSpeed, or cloud/CDN edge redirects, the logic is similar but syntax differs. You can still use the tool to define the intent (source/destination and status), then translate:
• Nginx: Use server block rewrite/return directives.
• LiteSpeed: Often supports .htaccess rules natively.
• Cloud/CDN: Use page rules or redirect rules in the dashboard.
• If unsure, ask your host or consult platform docs for equivalent redirects.