Need advice on changing URL structure

Hi ...

I'd like to change some of my urls from this structure:
mywebsite dot com/hi_five.php

To this:
mywebsite dot com/hi-five/

Any ideas on what is the most recommended way to do so without loosing the SERP and all the SEO work I've done so far ?

Thanks !

 

Hi,

I think a domain level 301 redirection would be needed for your purpose. But, page level redirection might be too tedious. Thus, deep back link juices would be lost during this kind of URL changes, IMO.

all the best,

 

You should do 301 redirect each and every changed pages from an old url structure to a new one. This will prevent you from losing any seo efforts you have done so far.

 

Is your site on Wordpress? If it is then 301 redirects are easier with good plugins. Otherwise, just do htaccess 301 redirects for each page like advised above.

 

As others have said, use a 301 redirect on each page. Here's the code:

<?
Header( "HTTP/1.1 301 Moved Permanently" ); 
Header( "Location: http://www.new-url.com" ); 
?> 

Code (markup):

You should also have a site map. Be sure to remove the old pages from it, and add the new ones.

 

Thanks guys.
After making the redirection, should I go and change all the internal links that point to the old pages or just leave it as is ?

 

Hm that's a tricky question. If there aren't that many then go and change them to the new ones

 

I would change them....