Best Plugins for Managing Redirects in WordPress

Sometimes, websites change, and old pages disappear. But what happens when someone tries to visit those pages? They get a big 404 error, and that’s not good! 

It makes visitors unhappy and can even hurt your website on Google. That’s why plugins for managing redirects in WordPress are so important. 

They help send people to the right pages instead of dead ends. Whether you’re moving pages, changing your website, or fixing broken links, these plugins make everything simple. No coding is needed, just install, and set up, and your site stays smooth! 

In this article, we’ll look at the best redirect plugins to keep your website fast, friendly, and working perfectly. 

Let’s get started!

Understanding Redirects in WordPress

Redirects are like signposts on the Internet. They guide visitors from one web address to another, helping keep websites organized and ensuring users find the right content.

A redirect sends someone to a different page from the web page they clicked on. It’s like changing the route to your house; you tell friends the new way so they don’t get lost. Websites use redirects to help visitors find the right pages, especially if things have moved around. 

This keeps the site neat and ensures everyone ends up where they should be.

Why it’s important?

Websites change over time. Pages might move, get new names, or be removed. Without redirects, visitors might see error messages if they try to visit old pages. This can be confusing and frustrating. 

Therefore, redirects help by sending visitors to the correct, updated pages. Besides this keeps the website user-friendly and ensures everyone finds what they’re looking for.

Types of Redirects

• 301 Redirect (Permanent): It tells browsers and search engines that a page has moved to a new, permanent address. Use a 301 redirect when you’ve permanently moved or deleted a page. 
• 302 Redirect (Temporary): This redirect indicates that a page has moved temporarily. Use a 302 redirect when you want to send visitors to a different page for a short time but plan to return to the original page later.
• 307 Redirect: Similar to a 302, but ensures that the method used (like GET or POST) doesn’t change when redirecting. Use a 307 redirect when a page is temporarily moved and you want to ensure the way data is sent stays the same. 
• 404 Error Handling and Redirection: A 404 error means the page couldn’t be found. Instead of showing an error, set up a redirect to guide visitors to a relevant page, like the homepage.
• 410 Redirect: This status tells browsers and search engines that the page is gone and won’t return. Use a 410 redirect when you’ve permanently removed content and want to inform search engines to stop indexing the page. 
• 451 Redirect: This status indicates that the page is unavailable for legal reasons. Use a 451 redirect when content is removed or blocked due to legal issues.

Understanding these redirects helps keep your website organized and ensures visitors always find the right content.

Criteria for Choosing the Best Redirect Plugin

When picking a redirect plugin, you need one that works well, is easy to use, and keeps your website running smoothly. 

Here are the most important things to look for:

• Easy to Use: The plugin should have simple settings and buttons so you can make redirects without trouble.
• Supports Different Redirects: It should handle 301, 302, 307, and other redirects to move pages correctly.
• Works with SEO Plugins: A good plugin should work well with SEO tools like Yoast or Rank Math.
• Find 404 Errors: It should find broken pages and help fix them fast.
• Keeps Track of Redirects – The plugin should list all redirects so you know what’s working.
• Fast and Lightweight: It should not slow down your website or make it load slowly.
• Bulk Redirects: If you need many redirects, the plugin should let you add them all simultaneously.
• Works with Any Theme: The plugin should work on any WordPress theme without problems.
• Gets Regular Updates: The plugin should get new updates to stay safe and work with new WordPress versions.
• Free or Affordable: A good redirect plugin should be free or not cost too much for extra features.

With these features, you can pick the best redirect plugin to keep your site smooth and error-free!

10 Best Plusing for Managing Redirects in WordPress

1. Redirection

Redirection is one of the widely used plugins for managing redirects in WordPress efficiently. With over a decade of active development, it’s a trusted tool for website administrators. The plugin allows users to create and manage 301 redirects, track 404 errors, and maintain a clean URL structure. It’s suitable for websites of all sizes. 

Features:

• Set up redirects based on login status, browser type, referrer, cookies, and more. 
• Monitor all redirects with detailed logs, including visitor information, browser used, and referrer data. 
• Add HTTP headers to redirects or the entire site to enhance security and reduce redirect impact. 
• Match, ignore, or pass through query parameters to target URLs as needed. 
• Automatically create redirects when posts or page permalinks are changed, ensuring seamless navigation. 
• Easily import and export redirects using various formats, including CSV, .htaccess, and JSON.

Pricing:

Redirection is a free plugin with no premium version, offering all features at no cost. 

2. 301 Redirects (Easy Redirect Manager)

301 Redirects is also one of the user-friendly plugins for managing redirects in WordPress. It supports the creation of 301, 302, and 307 redirects. Moreover, it’s particularly beneficial for new websites or those undergoing content reorganization. It ensures that outdated or moved content doesn’t lead visitors to 404 pages.

Features:

• Ensures that query parameters are preserved during redirection, maintaining the integrity of URL data.
• Allows bulk management of redirects by importing or exporting rules, facilitating easy backup and transfer.
• Provides basic insights into redirection usage, helping users understand redirect traffic patterns.
• Offers a dashboard widget that displays recent 404 errors, enabling quick monitoring and action.
• Supports redirection to various destinations, including pages, posts, custom post types, archives, term archives, or custom URLs.
• Built for performance, the plugin ensures that redirections occur swiftly, minimizing any impact on page load times.

Pricing:

301 Redirects offers a free version available to download from the WordPress.org plugin library. 

For advanced functionalities, the premium version, WP 301 Redirects PRO, is available with the following pricing options:

• Personal License: $49 (Lifetime License).
• Team License: $59 (Lifetime License).
• Agency License: $99 (Lifetime License).

3. Simple 301 Redirects

Simple 301 Redirects are particularly beneficial during site migrations to WordPress, especially when preserving the original URL structure isn’t feasible. By setting up 301 redirects from old pages to new ones, the plugin ensures that incoming links are seamlessly redirected. This is crucial for retaining search engine rankings and avoiding 404 errors.

Features:

• It helps with the mass addition or backup of redirect rules via CSV files, streamlining management.
• Enables redirection of entire directories by using an asterisk (*) to match patterns, simplifying complex redirects.
• Offers compatibility with BetterLinks for tracking and analyzing click-through rates of redirected links.
• Designed with simplicity, allowing users to set up redirects without technical expertise.
• Works seamlessly with eCommerce sites, blogs, magazines, small businesses, and more.

Pricing:

Simple 301 Redirects is available as a free plugin from the official plugin directory of WordPress.org. 

4. Safe Redirect Manager

Safe Redirect Manager is a WordPress plugin developed by 10up, it helps to manage URL redirects efficiently. Unlike many redirect plugins that store data in the options table or custom tables. It also utilizes Custom Post Types for storing redirects, hence enhancing the data portability and site scalability. 

Features:

• Enables the use of regex in redirect paths for advanced matching patterns.
• Allows the use of wildcards (*) in “Redirect From” paths to match multiple URLs.
• Supports various HTTP status codes, including 301, 302, 403, 404, and 410, for precise redirection control.
• Utilizes the Transients API to cache redirects, reducing server load and improving performance.
• “Redirect From” paths are case insensitive by default, ensuring consistent redirection behavior.

Pricing:

Safe Redirect Manager is a free plugin available for download from the WordPress plugin repository. 

5. SEO Redirection Plugin

SEO Redirection Plugin is a robust WordPress tool designed to simplify URL redirect management. It enables you to effortlessly create and manage 301, 302, and 307 redirects without knowledge of server configurations. The plugin also automatically creates 301 redirects when a post’s URL changes.

Features:

• Identifies and logs 404 errors, enabling prompt redirection to relevant content.
• Allows regex patterns in both source and destination URLs for complex redirection rules.
• Organize redirects into groups, facilitating efficient management of numerous redirection rules.
• Enhances performance by caching redirection rules, leading to faster processing times.
• Supports various redirect rules, including ‘Start With,’ ‘End With,’ ‘Contain,’ and ‘Filetype’ for targeted redirection strategies.
• Maintains logs with specifics on all served redirects, aiding in analysis and troubleshooting.

Pricing:

SEO Redirection Plugin offers a free version, which is easy to download from the official plugin directory of WordPress.org.

For advanced functionalities, the premium version is available with the following pricing options:

• Single License: $29 ideal for individual sites.
• Extended License: $49, suitable for multiple sites.
• Professional License: $69 designed for developers and agencies.

6. Rank Math SEO (Includes Redirect Manager)

Rank Math SEO is a comprehensive WordPress plugin designed to simplify search engine optimization. Which also includes a robust Redirect Manager. Trusted by over 3 million users, it enables users to efficiently handle various URL redirects, such as 301, 302, 307, 410, and 451.

Features:

• Leverages artificial intelligence to provide dynamic suggestions for creating SEO-friendly content.
• Supports 20+ schema types, enabling rich snippets and enhanced search visibility.
• Offers seamless integration with Google Analytics for comprehensive traffic analysis.
• Monitors keyword performance directly from the WordPress dashboard.
• Automatically creates and updates sitemaps to improve search engine indexing.
• Controls access to SEO settings based on user roles, ensuring secure collaboration.

Pricing:

Rank Math offers a free version with comprehensive features that are suitable for most users. You can easily download it from the official plugin library of WordPress.org. 

For advanced functionalities, the premium plans are available:

• Pro Plan: $6.99 per month.
• Business Plan: $20.99 per month.
• Agency Plan: $49.99 per month.

7. LoginWP (Formerly Peter’s Login Redirect)

LoginWP, formerly Peter’s Login Redirect, is a versatile WordPress plugin. It enables administrators to define custom redirect rules for users upon login, logout, and registration. Additionally, it allows redirection based on specific users, roles, or capabilities, ensuring a tailored user experience. 

Features:

• Automatically direct new users to a specific page after successful registration, enhancing onboarding.
• Utilize advanced placeholders like {{current_page}} and {{previous_page}} for dynamic redirection.
• Set up complex redirect conditions based on user metadata or other criteria for granular control.
• Seamlessly works with membership plugins like MemberPress and Restrict Content Pro for member-specific redirects.
• Direct users to a particular page upon their first login, ideal for welcome messages or tutorials.
• Offers hooks and filters for developers to extend and customize plugin functionality as needed.

Pricing:

LoginWP offers both free and premium versions. The free version can be downloaded from the official plugin directory of WordPress.org. 

The premium plans are structured as follows:

• Standard Plan: $49 per year for one site.
• Business Plan: $99 per year for three sites.
• Agency Plan: $149 per year for unlimited sites.

8. All in One SEO (Redirect Manager)

All in One SEO is a comprehensive WordPress plugin trusted by over 3 million websites to enhance their search engine optimization efforts. Among its robust features is the Redirect Manager, to streamline the process of managing URL redirects. Additionally, it supports various redirect types, including 301, 302, and 307. 

Features:

• Monitors and logs 404 errors, enabling prompt identification and redirection of broken or missing pages. 
• Facilitates the redirection of an entire site to a new domain, simplifying domain changes or site relocations. 
• Allows linking of multiple domains or subdomains to a primary site, ensuring consistent content delivery across different URLs. 
• Easily enforce HTTPS protocols and manage ‘www’ or ‘non-www’ URL preferences to maintain uniformity and security. 
• Supports the import and export of redirect rules, facilitating efficient management and backup of redirection settings. 
• Offers settings to disable IP logging or anonymize IP addresses, ensuring adherence to privacy regulations.

Pricing:

AIOSEO is easy to download from the WordPress.org plugin directory. 

It also offers a range of premium pricing plans for various needs:

• Basic Plan: $49.60 per year.
• Plus Plan: $99.60 per year.
• Pro Plan: $199.60 per year.
• Elite Plan: $299.60 per year..

9. Broken Link Checker

Broken Link Checker is a widely used WordPress plugin with over 700,000 active installations. It offers both cloud-based and local link-checking options to cater to various user needs. Also, the cloud-based engine provides up to 20 times faster scanning speeds without consuming local server resources. 

Features:

• Continuously scans and monitors all internal and external links, ensuring timely detection of broken links.
• Alerts users to broken links through the WordPress dashboard and email, facilitating prompt fixes.
• Users can edit or unlink broken links directly from the plugin’s interface without manual post updates.
• Offers options to display broken links differently in posts, such as applying a strikethrough style.
• Provides an option to prevent search engines from following broken links, protecting site rankings.
• It enables users to exclude specific URLs, domains, or content types from link checking, allowing them to focus on relevant areas.

Pricing:

Broken Link Checker is a free plugin available for download from the WordPress plugin repository. 

10. All 404 Redirect to Homepage

All 404 Redirect to Homepage addresses 404 error pages and redirects them to the homepage or a specified URL using a 301 SEO redirect. Also, the plugin operates automatically, identifying and managing random 404 errors on your site. It also supports HTTPS. Which ensures secure redirection protocols are maintained. 

Features:

• Effortlessly manage broken links by redirecting users to relevant pages without manual intervention.
• Implement permanent redirects to enhance SEO rankings and preserve link equity.
• Direct 404 errors to the homepage, a custom page, or any URL you choose.
• Effectively address and manage soft 404 errors to maintain site credibility.
• Detect and fix broken images and links to ensure a smooth user experience.
• Ensure compatibility with HTTPS for secure and reliable redirection.

Pricing:

This plugin is available for free in the WordPress repository, offering essential features to manage 404 errors effectively without any cost.

Conclusion

No website is perfect, but broken links and 404 errors shouldn’t be the reason visitors leave. That’s why using the right plugins for managing redirects in WordPress is crucial. 

Redirect plugins ensure users always land on the right page, improving their experience while protecting your SEO rankings.

A well-managed redirect system not only fixes broken links but also strengthens your site’s structure. 

Don’t let outdated URLs slow you down, choose the best redirect plugin and keep your website running smoothly!