Managing URL Rewrites

When you are in the planning stages of your catalog is an ideal time to consider the URL configuration options that are available to you. By using relevant, high-value keywords, you can improve the way the page is indexed by search engines. For many merchants, modifying catalog URLs is part of an ongoing effort to improve SEO.

The URL Rewrite Management tool lets you change any URL that is associated with a product, category, or CMS page. When the redirect goes into effect, any existing links that point to the previous URL are automatically redirected to the new address.

The terms rewrite and redirect are often used interchangeably, but refer to slightly different processes. A URL rewrite changes the way a URL appears in the browser. A URL redirect, on the other hand, updates the URL that is stored on the server. A URL redirect can be either temporary or permanent. Your store uses both techniques to make it easy for you to create search engine friendly URLs and to preserve existing links.

Automatic Redirects

Your store can be configured to automatically generate a permanent redirect whenever the URL key of a product changes. In the product record, the checkbox below the URL key indicates if permanent redirects are enabled for your catalog.

To configure automatic redirects:

1. From the Admin panel, select System > Configuration.
2. In the Configuration panel on the left, under Catalog, select Catalog.
3. In the Search Engine Optimizations section, set Create Permanent Redirect for URLs if URL Key Changed to “Yes.”

Creating URL Redirects

The URL Rewrite Management tool allows you to manually add or delete a product, category, or custom redirects. When the redirect goes into effect, any existing links that point to the previous URL are automatically redirected to the new address. You can use the URL Rewrite tool to create three different kinds of redirects:

• Product Rewrite
• Catalog Rewrite
• Custom Rewrite

To add a product rewrite:

1. From the Admin panel, selectCatalog > URL Rewrite Management.
2. In the upper-right corner, click the Add URL Rewrite button.
3. In the Add New URL Rewrite section, set Create URL Rewrite to “for Product.”
4. Find the product in the list below and click to open the record.
5. Scroll down to the bottom of the Category Selection, click the Skip Category Selection button.
6. In the URL Rewrite section, do the following:
   
   1. In the Request Path field, enter the new value for the updated URL.
   2. Set Redirect to one of the following:
      
      • Temporary (302)
      • Permanent (301)
   3. For your own reference, enter a brief description of the rewrite.
7. When complete, click the Save button.

To add a category rewrite:

1. From the Admin panel, select Catalog > URL Rewrite Management.
2. In the upper-right corner, click the Add URL Rewrite button.
3. In the Add New URL Rewrite section, set Create URL Rewrite to “for Catalog.”
4. In the category tree, click to select the category that needs the rewrite.
5. In the URL Rewrite section, do the following:
   
   1. In the Request Path field, enter the new value for the updated URL.
   2. Set Redirect to one of the following:
      
      • Temporary (302)
      • Permanent (301)
      • For your own reference, enter a brief description of the rewrite.
6. When complete, click the Save button.

To add a custom rewrite:

1. From the Admin panel, select Catalog > URL Rewrite Management.
2. In the upper-right corner, click the Add URL Rewrite button.
3. In the Add New URL Rewrite section, set Create URL Rewrite to “Custom.”
4. In the URL Rewrite section, do the following:
   
   1. In the Request Path field, enter the new value for the updated URL.
   2. Set Redirect to one of the following:
      
      • Temporary (302)
      • Permanent (301)
   3. For your own reference, enter a brief description of the rewrite.
5. When complete, click the Save button.

To delete rewrites:

Over the course of time, your store may accumulate rewrite records that are no longer needed. You can delete obsolete rewrites from the list either individually or as a group of selected records.

1. In the list, select the checkbox of each rewrite to be deleted.
2. Set the Actions listbox to “Delete.”
3. Click the Submit button.