Best Way To Change 6000+ URL's?

[azn romeo 4u]

My website uses URL like this...

example.com/dir/widget_short_description.html

I want to change it to

example.com/dir/1.html

I have 6000+ of these URL's. How? Should I do this? I want to this, because it's easier for me to add articles. The url number would just be the artile id.

Those urls' are created by mod_rewrite so they aren't actual html files.

Should I just redirect all the whole url's to my home page instead? Cuz honestly I have no idea how I am going to do it. I do have sitemap setup for bots etc.

Anyways I'm not sure. Thank you.

[phranque]

what type of web server are you running?
why are you changing the urls?

[MLHmptn]

I think you need to provide a little more information. If your just doing it because it's easier to manage I would suggest adding another variable to your urls or adjusting your mod_rewrite to better fit your needs. On the other hand you should be able to export your existing sitemap (I would presume its in xml format?) and then 301 all the urls to your new sitemap with the urls you desire. It may take a few weeks for Google to update though and you better hope Yahoo doesn't write off your site for the change. :( I had two sites where I changed the URL structure and Yahoo banned both sites after the change. :(

[edited by: MLHmptn at 8:09 am (utc) on Feb. 24, 2009]

[eltercerhombre]

First question is: Should I do this?

It may be easier for you, but will be for your users? It the "short_description" is short (it doesn't make the URL too large and difficult to type) I see no reason to do the move.

And if it's too large, then make it short, but stil descriptive. As I begin to type in the browser bar, it would be easier for me to recognize it.

[azn romeo 4u]

Yes it's easier for me to manage. That's the main reason I want to change it. Main problem for me is duplicate titles, but I usually just add duplicate-title-2.html or something like that at the end.

You got banned?

That sucks. 80% of my traffic is SERP. I'm #1 on Yahoo, on almost every keyword that deals with my niche. I'm usually top 5 on google.

How would I do that with sitemaps? And yea it's the standard XML format.

What about my users. How would I redirect them to the correct url? I don't think I can program it into my script. Is there another way?

[MLHmptn]

How would I do that with sitemaps? And yea it's the standard XML format.

What about my users. How would I redirect them to the correct url? I don't think I can program it into my script. Is there another way?

.htaccess

Well I do belive the simplest way would be to import your sitemap into a spreadsheet with before and after sitemaps (based on your new mod_rewrite directives) and insert a RedirectPermanent (301) redirect in a formula then export it and insert into your .htaccess file like such.

RedirectPermanent /oldURLfromyourexisitingsitemap/ http://www.example.com/newURLfromyournewsitemap/

HTH!

[edited by: tedster at 2:47 am (utc) on Feb. 25, 2009]
[edit reason] switch to example.com [/edit]

[Swanson]

Erm, if you compete in my industry then please change your URLs - and then use the 301 advice above. (Good advice by the way - but can't wait for the tank in rankings while Goog works it all out)

Actually, I hope you are in my industry and get loads of traffic and go for it. Best you experiment to make it easier for yourself - and then easy for me.

[MLHmptn]

Yeah I wouldn't recommend doing this either but if he doesn't care this realistically is the only way or start from scratch. Here is a better thread for you pinned in the hot topics. [webmasterworld.com...]