Easy Guide to 301 Redirects on Squarespace
Learning Objectives
By the end of this chapter, you'll be able to:
- Understand what 301 redirects are and why they matter for your site
- Set up 301 redirects in Squarespace step by step
- Identify common redirect problems and fix them quickly
Introduction
When you move or delete pages on your Squarespace site, you risk breaking links and frustrating visitors. This chapter shows you how to implement 301 redirects to keep your site running smoothly and protect your search engine rankings.
You'll learn the practical steps to set up redirects in Squarespace, plus how to spot and fix common issues that can trip up even experienced users.
Lessons
Understanding 301 Redirects
A 301 redirect permanently moves one URL to another. Think of it as forwarding mail to your new address – visitors and search engines automatically get sent to the right place.
Here's when you need them:
- You've deleted a page but want to send visitors somewhere useful
- You've changed a page's URL structure
- You're moving content to a different section of your site
- You want to fix broken links from other websites
The key word here is "permanent". Once you set up a 301 redirect, search engines will eventually forget the old URL and index the new one instead.
Setting Up 301 Redirects in Squarespace
Roll your sleeves up – here's how to create redirects in Squarespace:
Step 1: Access URL Mappings
- Log into your Squarespace account
- Go to Settings > Advanced > URL Mappings
- You'll see a text box where you can enter your redirects
Step 2: Format Your Redirect
Enter your redirect using this exact format:
/old-page -> /new-page 301
For example:
/about-us -> /about 301
/old-blog-post -> /blog/new-blog-post 301
Step 3: Save and Test
- Click Save
- Test the redirect by typing the old URL into your browser
- You should automatically land on the new page
This is the bit most people miss: always test your redirects immediately after setting them up. It's much easier to fix problems now than discover them weeks later.
Troubleshooting Common Redirect Issues
Even careful setup can go wrong. Here's how to fix the most common problems:
Problem 1: Redirect Not Working
- Check for typos in your URL mapping
- Make sure you're using the correct format with spaces around the arrow
- Verify both URLs actually exist on your site
Problem 2: Redirect Loop
This happens when URL A redirects to URL B, which redirects back to URL A. Your browser will show an error about too many redirects.
- Review your redirect list for circular references
- Use a redirect checker tool to trace the redirect path
Problem 3: Wrong Destination
- Double-check the destination URL is correct
- Test the destination page loads properly on its own
- Make sure you haven't accidentally included extra characters
Problem 4: External Links Not Working
If you're redirecting to an external site, use the full URL:
/old-page -> https://external-site.com/new-page 301
Keep a simple spreadsheet of all your redirects. Note the old URL, new URL, date created, and whether it's working. This makes troubleshooting much easier.
Practice
Create a test redirect on your Squarespace site:
- Choose an existing page on your site
- Create a fictional old URL (like
/test-redirect) - Set up a redirect from
/test-redirectto your chosen page - Test the redirect works by visiting
yoursite.com/test-redirect - Delete the test redirect when you're done
This gives you hands-on experience with the process before you need to create real redirects.
FAQs
How do I find old URLs that need redirects?
Check your Google Analytics for 404 errors, use Google Search Console to find crawl errors, or run a site crawl with tools like Screaming Frog to identify broken internal links.
What happens if I don't set up redirects?
Visitors get 404 error pages, you lose search engine rankings for those pages, and external sites linking to your old URLs will send visitors to dead ends.
Can I redirect to external websites?
Yes, use the full URL including https:// for external redirects.
How many redirects can I set up?
Squarespace doesn't specify a limit, but keep the number reasonable. Too many redirects can slow down your site.
Do I need to redirect every deleted page?
Only redirect pages that receive traffic or have external links pointing to them. Check your analytics to see which pages are actually visited.
Jargon Buster
301 Redirect: A permanent redirect that tells browsers and search engines a page has moved forever to a new location.
404 Error: The error visitors see when they try to access a page that doesn't exist.
URL Mapping: Squarespace's system for creating redirects by mapping old URLs to new ones.
Redirect Loop: When redirects create a circle, sending visitors back and forth between URLs without reaching a final destination.
Search Engine Ranking: How high your pages appear in search results – redirects help preserve this when you move content.
Wrap-up
You now know how to set up 301 redirects in Squarespace and fix common problems. The key is planning your redirects before you delete or move pages, testing them immediately, and keeping track of what you've set up.
Remember to regularly review your redirects – some might become unnecessary over time, and cleaning them up keeps your site running efficiently.
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