Effectively integrating Shopify redirects into your online store management strategy becomes particularly crucial when frequently updating your product inventory.
It is essential to uphold your website authority and backlink profile, emphasizing the importance of accurately creating Shopify redirects.
In this guide, we’ll show you three ways to set up Shopify redirects, understand how they work, and learn how to change or remove them.
What does the term “URL Redirect” mean?
A URL redirect is like guiding visitors on your website from one page to another. The common type is a 301 redirect, which Shopify uses exclusively. It’s crucial for both customer experience and ensuring search engines like Google understand the move.
This kind of redirect also helps keep the importance of the old page for search engines. When you use a 301 redirect, it tells Google that your web address has changed, and over time, the old one disappears from Google’s list.
Mastering Shopify Redirects: A Step-by-Step Guide
In Shopify, there are various methods to set up redirects. Overall, Shopify simplifies the process of creating a few redirects. If you’re dealing with redirects on a larger scale, assistance may be necessary.
This could involve utilizing Shopify’s built-in import/export tool or opting for an app based on your specific support needs.
How to create Shopify Redirects manually?
1) Firstly, navigate to “Online Store” and then select “Navigation.“
2) Select “View URL Redirects.” On mobile or smaller screens, this might appear in a (…) menu.
3) Choose “Create URL redirect.”
4) Follow the instructions to update the screen. If you’re redirecting within your own site, include only the page path (/products), not the full URL (https://www.examplesite.com/products).
However, if you’re redirecting to a location outside your Shopify site, use the complete URL.
Keep in mind that there are limitations on what you can redirect within Shopify. URLs starting with /apps, /application, /cart, /carts, /orders, /shop, or /services cannot be redirected.
5) After making changes to the Redirect from and Redirect to fields, click on “Save Redirect.”
6) Repeat this process as often as necessary to handle all your redirects.
How to import the Shopify Redirects list?
This method is excellent for managing multiple redirects in Shopify:
1) Download the sample file for Shopify redirects. Follow the file format to list all the redirects you wish to update.
2) Return to the URL redirects menu (Online Store > Navigation > View URL redirects).
3) On the URL Redirects menu screen, select Import.
4) Select your import file on the import redirects screen.
5) Click on “Upload File.”
6) Once prompted, examine the URL redirects on the Import Details screen:
Shopify Redirects: Using Apps
If making redirects on your Shopify site manually or in bulk doesn’t work, consider using an app from the Shopify store. Apps usually make it easier—they might automatically detect issues or let you handle redirects directly from your browser bar, skipping the Shopify system.
1) SC Easy Redirects
Rating: 4.7/5
Pricing: Free; paid plans begin at $10/month
Streamline your URL management with this user-friendly solution, designed to simplify URLs, optimize redirects, and eliminate 404 errors effortlessly.
Key Features
- Effortless 301 Redirects: Experience seamless 301 redirects with our intuitive solution. Quickly resolve redirects in bulk by uploading URLs.
- Minimize 404 Errors: Prevent site abandonment and enhance user experience by minimizing 404 errors. Retain valuable traffic and potential sales by ensuring visitors don’t encounter frustrating dead-end pages.
- SEO Improvement: Boost your SEO efforts by automatically identifying and resolving harmful 404 errors.
- Alerts and Reminders: Stay on top of managing 404 error pages with our alert system and reminders.
- Pattern-Based Redirects: Use patterns to redirect old URLs, effectively avoiding 404 pages for incoming traffic.
2) GeoIP Country Redirect
Rating: 4.6/5
Pricing: Plans begin at $4.49/month with a 15-day free trial.
GeoIP is the ultimate solution for automatically directing your customers to their regional stores based on their country. Tailor your user experience by seamlessly redirecting visitors to the appropriate version of your store, enhancing trust and significantly boosting conversions.
Key Features
- Automatic Regional Redirection: With GeoIP, customers are automatically directed to the regional version of your store based on their IP address.
- Permissions Popup: Allow users to confirm or adjust their regional redirection preferences.
- Google Bot Exclusion: Ensure all versions of your store are indexed by Google. Exclude Google Bots from the redirection process.
- IP Exclusion and Country-Based Blocking: Customize your redirection strategy by excluding specific IP addresses or blocking visitors from particular countries.
- UTM Parameter Forwarding: GeoIP supports UTM Parameter Forwarding, allowing you to seamlessly integrate with your analytics tools.
3) Cozy Country Redirect
Rating: 4.9/5
Pricing: 21-day free trial; paid plans begin at $6.99/month.
Direct your customers to dedicated stores crafted to cater to their specific regions, based on their location. Experience the convenience of their Currency Switcher, seamlessly integrated with Shopify Markets, adjusting currencies according to your visitor’s country.
Key Features
- Customizable Pop-up Designs with Live Preview: Cozy Country Redirect provides fully customizable pop-up designs with a live preview.
- Google Analytics Integration & UTM Forward Feature: Take advantage of the UTM Forward Feature to ensure accurate and comprehensive data for your marketing efforts.
- Country-Based Announcements: Engage your audience by showing country-specific announcements for offers, sales, or updates.
- Whitelist Users and Bypass Options: Exercise precise control over accessibility. Whitelist users based on IP addresses or specific pages using URLs.
Crucial Factors to Keep in Mind When Implementing Shopify Redirects
1) Understanding Shopify Redirects for Missing Pages
In Shopify, redirects only happen for pages that are not there anymore. If you want to use redirects, make sure to delete or take down the page you want to redirect. You can do this by marking it as “Draft” or removing it from the online store sales channel.
2) Don’t make redirect chains in your Shopify store
This happens when you link redirects together. For instance, if Collection A is redirected to Collection B, which is later redirected to Collection C, you’ve created a chain. Keep things simple by regularly checking and updating old redirects when you make new ones.
3) Ensure you replace Internal links
When a page is deleted, it’s not just about using a 301 redirect for SEO; it’s also advisable to update the internal links pointing to that page. The goal is to ensure that visitors don’t end up on a redirected page but land directly on the correct one.
This is particularly crucial for important pages like those in your main menu or other navigation structures.
So that was our detailed guide on Shopify Redirects. Furthermore, if you are looking for an all-in-one helpdesk specifically designed for E-commerce stores, we suggest you take a look at Saufter.
Introducing Saufter, Your E-commerce Expert
Saufter is the only helpdesk that fully understands and automates the entire workflow of e-commerce customer service. From integrating different support channels to tracking orders for possible delivery delays, Saufter is your solution for proactive customer support.
Key Features
- Smart Automation: Streamline your e-commerce customer support workflow by automating tasks such as returns, exchanges, and order modifications.
- Partial and Full Automation: Opt for partial automation, involving human resolution, or go for full automation to enhance efficiency in handling various processes.
- Omnichannel Support: Provide seamless customer support across all channels, including emails, live chat, social media, and phone interactions.
- Operational Insights: Access valuable insights into your operational performance, track essential metrics, and receive intelligent alerts for prompt actions.
- Self-Service Solutions: Empower customers with quick self-service options, available even on social media platforms like Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram.
- Integrated Knowledge Base: Provide complete help using a built-in information hub. Customers get quick suggestions from articles through a self-help portal and live chat.
- Proactive Monitoring: Ensure operational smoothness with 24/7 order monitoring to detect delays, using smart notifications for timely interventions.
To Sum It Up
In conclusion, mastering Shopify redirects is a crucial aspect of optimizing your online store’s performance. We’ve covered the essentials, from manual creation to bulk imports and the use of apps.
Remember, a well-managed redirect strategy not only benefits your customers but also plays a vital role in enhancing your Shopify store’s overall SEO. Stay informed, stay proactive, and empower your online presence with effective Shopify redirects.
Additionally, for top-notch customer support, you can consider Saufter. Packed with features tailored for E-commerce businesses, it provides the flexibility of partial or full automation based on your requirements.
Moreover, Saufter seamlessly integrates with Shopify, BigCommerce, WooCommerce, and Magento for a hassle-free experience.
Don’t hesitate—grab your 15-day free trial by signing up now!
