Permalink Structure Change - Redirects effects on Listings and Backlinks

Discussion in 'Site & Server Administration' started by emjayoh, May 19, 2011.

  1. #1
    Hi everyone,

    Pretty common and simple question, I would assume, but I really need to be aware of any consequences and best practices before I recommend this to my friend.

    He has a website with 11,000 Posts, all with the Permalink structure ?p=36841, for example:

    http://www.themmanews.com/?p=36841

    This is a Wordpress site. We're changing the theme, and improving the content going forward to include tumblog and featured articles so we want to update the Permalink Structure to %/postname%/

    http://www.themmanews.com/Jason-Reinhardt-Faces-Edwin-Figueroa-At-UFC-On-Versus-5-In-August

    MY QUESTION:

    How should the change be accomplished and what should we consider when doing so.

    I understand I could just change the permalink structure, and I believe Wordpress creates 301 redirects for the changed URL's but I am concerned about how many Posts there are.

    Also, how will this impact Indexed Pages and Backlinks. I assume if the redirects are acting properly, the indexed pages and backlinks will remain useful, intact and/or updated.

    I have found this possible solution for the 301 redirects:

    Plugin: Permalink Migration for Wordpress
    http://www.deanlee.cn/wordpress/permalinks-migration-plugin/

    Thanks so much for your feedback on this.
     
    emjayoh, May 19, 2011 IP