What is a 301 redirect?
A 301 redirect is a permanent redirect from a page to another URL. By using a 301, you prevent visitors from ending up on a non-working page. When that does happen, the visitor receives a 404 error message. A 301 is often used when switching from one site to another.
Conditions
Before you fill in the 301 redirect, there are a number of conditions you must meet. These are requirements imposed by our system. If you go outside these conditions, you or we (PromoCat) cannot import the 301 redirect.
Always stick to our format (Download format). So don't just add columns that aren't in the standard format. These are required columns. Rows, however, may be added.
The file must always be saved with character set (UTF-8). We only import UTF-8. If we import this differently, the system cannot handle it. In addition, it must always be saved in .CSV format, separated by a " ; " with double quotation marks " as the text delimiter (More information: Doc. saving as .CSV (UTF-8))
The maximum file size that can be uploaded at a time is 2 MiB, so don't exceed this.
Domain names are forbidden in the "oud" (old) column; you may only refer to the path after the domain name. For example "/contact", "/over-ons", "/unieke-fles-in-houder". New URLs, by the way, may contain domain names, because they can also redirect to another web address.
It's forbidden to create loops. For example, you may not redirect /contact to /contact. This causes an infinite loop.
There must be no duplicate URLs in the list; this causes the 301 redirect to break.
There must be no empty columns in the list; you can't redirect to nothing. It's also forbidden to fill in something in the first column (old) and then nothing in the second column.
A URL must never start with a country code, for example "/en/chocolaatjes-bedrukken-met-logo"
A URL must never end with a slash " / "
Examples of what is and isn't allowed
Explanation | What is not allowed | What is allowed |
A URL must never start with a country code | /en/chocolaatjes-bedrukken-met-logo | /chocolaatjes-bedrukken-met-logo |
An 'old' URL must never start with a domain name | http://promocat.nl/sleutelhangers | /sleutelhangers |
A URL must never end with a / | /schrijfmappen/ | /schrijfmappen |
An 'old' URL must never redirect to the same 'new' URL | /chocolaatje > /chocolaatje | /chocolaatje > /chocola-met-opdruk |
How does it work?
Download the 301 redirect format (Download format).
Open the format in Excel or another program that can handle this (e.g. LibreOffice)
All the columns here are required columns.
In the first column you enter a URL you want to redirect; the URL it's redirected to is the URL in column 2.
However, it's forbidden to place a domain name in column 1, which is allowed in column 2.
Step 1: In the column "URL oude shop (Verwijst naar)" (URL old shop (Refers to)), enter the URL you want to redirect to the new URL.
Step 2: In the column "URL nieuwe shop (Wordt verwezen naar)" (URL new shop (Is referred to)), enter the URL to be referred to.
How do I import the 301 redirect into my webshop?
Step 1: Log in to your webshop's CMS
Step 2: Go to "Webwinkel" (Webshop)
Step 3: In the menu on the left, go to "Imports"
Step 4: Click "Importeren" (Import) next to "Doorverwijzingen" (Redirects)
Step 5: Click "Bestand kiezen" (Choose file) and select your 301 file. (Make sure your format is saved correctly, as stated in the conditions!)
Step 6: Click "Voeg toe aan wachtrij" (Add to queue)
Please note! It can take up to approx. 24 hours before the 301 is fully active. If it takes longer, please contact [email protected]