301 Coding

To use or not to use?!

[infinitewoman]

What exactly does 301 coding do and where do you put it? I've heard rumours that it might not be a good thing to use. Penny for your thoughts?

[balinor]

Really depends on what you want to use it for. Post some more specifics and we can give you a little better answer :)

[infinitewoman]

I am moving my website from a free host to a paid host and have just acquired my dot com.

If I understand it correctly, the 301 coding needs to be added to all the pages I leave behind on my old host for the next 60 days (the page content will be changed to a "we've moved" message - the meta's and coding, etc., will remain the same).

I'm under the impression that the 301 coding will allow the bots and visitors to be redirected to find me at my new webhost.

[balinor]

Ok, there are a few things you should do first:

First, check to see if your free web host will redirect the old url to the new url for you. Probably not, but it is worth asking.

Second, you need to find out what kind of server your free web host is using: Apache, Microsoft, etc. It will determine which method would work best for you.

Let us know what you find out and we can help you with the next step :)

[infinitewoman]

The free webhost I am with now is very uncooperative. That's one of the reasons I'm moving. The old URL had their name in it; the new one is a straight dot com.

I registered my dot com with one service.

My webhosting is from another service.

I have already popped in the DNS info into my registrar's screens (they have the DNS info my webhost sent me) that my new webhost gave me in order to create a redirect to my dot com.

Getting the server info from the free webhost may be like pulling hen's teeth, but I'll try, if it's necessary. Thanks!

[jdMorgan]

You can get your old server info here [webmasterworld.com].

Jim

[infinitewoman]

Using the link kindly provided, this is the info I was given:

Server: Squeegit/1.2.5 (3_sir)

Does this make sense? Is it what you were looking for?

[balinor]

Squeegit...anyone know if .htaccess will work with that? I know it is Linux, but that is about all I know....

Hang on infinitewoman, we'll get you an answer as soon as we solve this little mystery :)

[steelrane]

cant you just change your index page to read "This page has moved to (your new domain)Click here to be redirected. Make your new url a link to the new page.
Steelrane

[balinor]

Sure, but every extra step you make a user take runs the risk of losing them. Not only will a 301 assist the search engines in finding the new site (and making a permanent note of it), it is a much more professional approach.

[steelrane]

Balinor
Your right but I was just thinking of the easiest way to get away from those free web hosts. I know a redirect is the best way but if its just like a free family site most people would take the time to click one link. Also don't forget to e-mail your site members with the new address thats just my two cents
Steelrane

[infinitewoman]

Thanks for your input, guys and gals. Still hanging on to see what you've come up with! :o)

[encyclo]

Server: Squeegit/1.2.5 (3_sir)

This must be an Angelfire/Tripod site. AKAIK there's no way you can get a 301 redirect from them - no .htaccess, no PHP, and if you had a free-hosting site, no interest from them for solving your problem.

You're left with the meta reirect, which is far from ideal.

[infinitewoman]

It is a Tripod site, but I am paying per month (minimally) to get rid of the popups.

So, even though I'm a paying member, I'm still left with the fact that there's no .htaccess, hence no
"301-ability", correct?

Since Tripod has been very, very less than helpful in the past, I think I might be up the spout on this one. Thoughts? Suggestions? Coding options? Best options from here?

[jdMorgan]

In this situation, I'd go with a simple text link to your new domain, accompanied by a five- to fifteen-second meta-refresh to the same. It's far from ideal, but the best you can do under the circumstances.

Get as many of your incoming links updated as soon as possible, and use absolute URLs on your new site's pages, at least for the first year... And be sure to tell all your friends the disadvantages of "free" and limited-capability Web hosting. The reason that the $20-per-month-and-up hosting services survive is because they are worth it (I mean no "dig" at you, and wish you only the best; This is just the truth as I see it).

Jim

[infinitewoman]

Not to worry, Jim. This is how we all live and learn in this web world game.

I'll take your advice and use the simple coding.

I hope others see this post and learn from it and understand that putting out a little money at the beginning to ensure you have a webhost that values your custom will always mean less grief in the end for the webmaster (or "mistress" in this case :o)

Cheers!

[balinor]

Good luck infinitewoman, sorry we couldn't be of more help!

[kbolay]

Tripod (and Angelfire) support .asis files which allow you to return arbitrary headers.

Simply save the file as "index.asis" and you'll get the redirect:

-- cut ----------
Status: 301 Redirect
Location: http://www.example.com/grenade.html
URI: http://www.example.com/grenade.html
Content-type: text/html

If you see this message, click <A HREF="http://www.example.com/grenade.html">here</A>.
-- cut ----------

[edited by: DaveAtIFG at 3:26 am (utc) on Feb. 25, 2004]
[edit reason] Delinked and exemplified [/edit]

[encyclo]

Nice find kbolay, and welcome to WebmasterWorld! That Angelfire/Tripod allow .asis files is very useful to know (and more or less proves that they are using a customized version of Apache with a fake name in the header).

If you want more information about .asis files and mod_asis, try here:

[httpd.apache.org...]