how to redirect WordPress posts to external url

Redirecting WordPress posts to external URLs can be a strategic approach for many website owners. Whether you’re pointing visitors to an updated blog post, affiliate links, or consolidating several websites into one, understanding how to manage this process efficiently is crucial. Below, we explore various methods to handle redirection in WordPress.

Method 1: Using Plugins

1. Redirection Plugin
One of the most popular ways to manage redirects in WordPress is by using the Redirection plugin. This tool is not only powerful but also free, making it an ideal choice for many users.

• Installation and Setup:
  • Navigate to your WordPress dashboard.
  • Go to Plugins > Add New and search for “Redirection.”
  • Install and activate the plugin.
• Creating a Redirect:
  • Go to Tools > Redirection.
  • Add the URL of the post you want to redirect and the destination URL.
  • Specify the type of redirect – typically, a 301 (permanent) redirect is used.
  • Save your changes.

2. Page Links To Plugin
Another user-friendly option is the Page Links To plugin, which lets you point your posts or pages to a URL of your choosing.

• Installation and Setup:
  • Install the plugin from the WordPress plugin repository and activate it.
• Redirecting a Post:
  • Edit the post or page you want to redirect.
  • Find the Page Links To meta box usually below the post editor.
  • Enter the URL you want to redirect to and update/save your post.

Method 2: Editing .htaccess File

For those who prefer not to use a plugin, modifying the .htaccess file is a more manual yet effective approach. It’s crucial to back up this file before making changes to avoid any website downtime due to errors.

• Accessing .htaccess:
  • Connect to your site via FTP or cPanel.
  • Locate the .htaccess file in the root directory.
• Modifying .htaccess:
  • Open the file with a text editor.
  • To redirect a specific post, add the following line:

    Redirect 301 /old-post/ http://external-url.com/new-post

  • Replace “/old-post/” with the slug of your WordPress post and the full external URL where you want visitors to be redirected.
  • Save the changes and upload the file back if edited offline.

Method 3: Utilizing PHP

For a more dynamic approach, particularly when you wish to include conditions for the redirects or handle multiple URLs, using PHP might be the answer.

• Edit the post or page template file:
  • Access your theme files, which might be through FTP or WordPress Editor under Appearance > Theme Editor.
  • Find the relevant post or page template file, usually named single.php or page.php.
• Implement the redirection code:
  • At the top of the file, insert the following PHP code:

  • Replace “specific-post-ID” with the ID of the post-page you want to redirect. This ID can be found by opening the post or page in the WordPress editor and checking the URL, which will contain something like post=123 where “123” is the post ID.
  • Replace “http://external-url.com/new-post” with your desired destination URL.

Administering Redirects: Best Practices

Regardless of the method chosen, there are best practices to consider for managing redirects:

• Monitor for Broken Links: Utilize tools like Google Webmaster Tools or plugins such as Broken Link Checker. This is crucial as broken links can affect your SEO negatively.
• Avoid Excessive Redirects: While redirects are useful, excessive use can slow down your page load time, affecting both user experience and SEO.
• Documentation: Keep a log of all redirects you create, especially if you’re managing a large site. This helps in troubleshooting and maintaining the structure of your site.

Redirection in WordPress doesn’t have to be complex. Whether through a plugin, .htaccess, or PHP, each method provides effective means to redirect visitors from your WordPress posts to external URLs efficiently. Tailor your method choice to your specific needs for best results in managing your site’s redirection needs.