Redirect Questions

by Craig Fenton

Posted: 12 years ago 20 replies

PROGRAMMING

Hi Warriors:

Hope it is a good week thus far.

Excuse the lack of tech knowledge, any of the websites I ever worked on were simplistic (writing, uploading photos/music/video).

When somebody talks about having a redirect on their website so the person goes to a Cost Per Action offer as an example, is that something that can be done if you have typical hosting Hostgator/Lunar Pages/Yahoo/etc?

Is it an actual script that you have to purchase from someplace or design yourself or is it an option that you pick from a control panel?

If it is picked from the control panel do you give the particular page on your website you want redirected to the offer and the offer link as well?

If you have a 5 page website as an example can you use the control panel to redirect page 1 to ABC site but page 2 to DEF?

Is it something somebody that has no technical smarts (me) could comprehend or would it be as if I am looking at a calculus question and know this is outside my scope of intelligence?

Thank you for the help and clarification.

#questions #redirect

blackli0n 12 years ago

There are many ways to do this and of the many ways, they are used for many purposes.
I'm going to assume you want these to be PERMANENT redirects (as opposed to temporary redirects).

Different ways to redirect from one link to another:
- control panel (you can redirect any link to a domain that you manage to whatever link you want)
- htaccess (you can edit this file in your FTP root to redirect certain links to another)
- script redirect (this is managed by a web program, php script, often used for mass automation of many redirects)

If you only have a few links to redirect, either of the first 2 "manual" methods should work fine.
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- Craig Fenton 12 years ago
  
  Hi blackli0n:
  
  Thank you for the response.
  
  Thanks
  
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  David Beroff 12 years ago
  
  You'd have to check the control panel documentation, but it's likely that it could offer you either approach. I just prefer using a PHP file, personally.
  
  "Permanent" is in the eye of the browser. Some may remember the redirection, and not bother to check it again. Search engine spiders are one type of browser, so they would also not be obligated to re-check the redirect in the future. What I'm saying is that permanent redirects don't offer you much upside if there's any chance that you might have to make changes in the future. How you implement them shouldn't matter, though.
  
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  Craig Fenton 12 years ago
  
  Hi David:
  
  Thanks for the information.
  
  I'm sorry for being so poor with technical stuff, when you publish a PHP file is that a different function than a redirect option? If so how does one publish the file?
  
  With the lack of technical ability I don't know if I would be able to do this one my own. The reason it came up is there was an interesting WSO and it mentioned needing to redirect to the Cost Per Action offer.
  
  If I end up getting a domain to do this maybe the technical support can try to walk me through. Hopefully they offer the temporary method you articulated.
  
  Have a great weekend.
  
  Thanks
  
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  David Beroff 12 years ago
  
  I'm pretty sure you can do this on your own, Craig. Publishing a PHP file is just a matter of uploading it to your webserver, which in turn can be done with your control panel, or an FTP program, or you can use the FTP feature of your operating system (e.g., Windows) to just drag-and-drop the file.
  
  PHP files can be completely static, such as this one:
  
  PHP Code:
  
  <html><body>Hello, World!</body></html>
  
  or they can have some dynamic features, such as:
  
  PHP Code:
  
  <html><body>Copyright © <?= date('Y'); ?>, Owner</body></html>
  
  It's best to just play and practice with some simple things like this and the redirection script above, so you don't end up having people charge you $100 for a $5 job. As you play, you'll gain more and more confidence in your own abilities.
  
  Thanks
  
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  Craig Fenton 12 years ago
  
  Hi David:
  
  Thanks for your help.
  
  One thing I am is honest and I know my strengths and weaknesses. When it comes to anything technical I am lost.
  
  Sorry for my total lack of understanding of anything from HTML to Java to the moon.
  
  Can you please clarify when you talk about uploading the PHP file, where is being created in the first place? In other words if I want to create a Word Document to put on a website, I would open Word, type text, and click save and name the file.
  
  Where am I creating the PHP file from? Let's say the website that I want people to be (both made up and don't exist)directed to is http://www.thisdoesnotexistandisforatestonly.com
  
  My website Page 1 is www.whateverwhateveris.net
  
  To avoid somebody needing a different website for multiple Cost Per Action offers can the PHP file or redirect be created for multiple pages such as Page 1 of the site is for an offer in sports, page 2 music, page 3 electronics?
  
  Again I apologize for being so out of my element.
  
  Thank you!
  
  Thanks
  
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David Beroff 12 years ago

To redirect traffic, publish a PHP file that looks like this (below). Let's assume you call this file page-on-my-site.php .

PHP Code:

<?php header( "Location: http://example.com/somewhere-else.html" ); exit; ?>

It is very important to ensure that this is the very first (and only) line in the file, as the code will behave differently if it is not.

What this will do is to take people who visit http://your-domain.com/page-on-my-site.php and quietly send them to http://example.com/somewhere-else.html .

The reason why this is called temporary redirection is because it allows you to change your mind in the future about where you are sending traffic. This way, if an affiliate network removes a particular offer, or you find a more lucrative one, all you have to do is to change this one file, and nothing will break.
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- Craig Fenton 12 years ago
  
  Hi David:
  
  Thanks for reply.
  
  Can you please tell me if you want a temporary redirect (good point about wanting to change offers) can this be done from the control panel the same as the permanent way?
  
  If somebody uses the permanent way does that mean no matter what the link is forever redirected (or is permanent in the true sense of the word)?
  
  Thank you so much.
  
  Thanks
  
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David Beroff

12 years ago

No need to apologize; everyone has to start somewhere.

Just as you use Word to create a Word file, you can use Notepad (Start > Programs > Accessories > Notepad) to create a text file. The main thing to remember is that there's a drop-down called "Save as Type" when you save the file; this needs to be changed to "All Files" so as to let you name your file something.php instead of something.txt.

And yes, you can easily create multiple redirection pages on a single website, one for each offer. You don't need a separate website for each redirection.

Consider that a website could be thought of as an album, each page is an individual song, the static portions of a page are the words of the song, and the code communicates the notes and other instructions on precisely how to sing those words.

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Craig Fenton

12 years ago

Hi David:

Thanks for your patience. Have an appointment for a few hours but before I leave wanted to get the best sense of the PHP.

How do you decide what to name the file in Note Pad? For example is it based on the name of the website we have and the one we want redirected to? I would gather there has to be some regimented structure in the file name so it knows to redirect and it can't be something I make up such as the Beatles Are The Best Band Ever.PHP.

How does the file then have the ability to redirect?

When you are in a control panel are you then able to decide what page of the site each file is for?

If I need this done what do you charge?

Thank you so much.

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David Beroff

12 years ago

Originally Posted by Craig Fenton

How do you decide what to name the file in Note Pad? For example is it based on the name of the website we have and the one we want redirected to? I would gather there has to be some regimented structure in the file name so it knows to redirect and it can't be something I make up such as the Beatles Are The Best Band Ever.PHP.

Yeah, you could, although I'd avoid spaces (for a few good reasons) and instead call it Beatles-Best-Band-Ever.php or whatever.

Structure's not a bad thing, though, and you could use a generic name that describes what it is that you are referencing, such as British-60s-Rock-Band.php , which gives you more flexibility if you find you need to swap out a Beatles affiliate program with one for, say, the Rolling Stones. If that doesn't fit what you are doing, and it would always be a Beatles offering, then of course stick to your Beatles-related name. By the same argument, if you could swap out a Beatles offering from ABC company with one from DEF company, then don't mention either company in your filename.

Originally Posted by Craig Fenton

How does the file then have the ability to redirect?

See my original post above; that script redirects to a hypothetical URL, http://example.com/somewhere-else.html .

Originally Posted by Craig Fenton

When you are in a control panel are you then able to decide what page of the site each file is for?

Once you have this one-line file, you don't need anything else; just upload it.

Originally Posted by Craig Fenton

If I need this done what do you charge?

Thanks, Craig, but I'd much rather just be on your shortlist when your WSO clients ask you for American male voiceover talent:

Voice in Search of a Portfolio

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Craig Fenton 12 years ago

Hi David:

Thanks for your help throughout the day.

I can tell that this is something that I would need outsourced (especially if the redirect option from the website may be permanent).

Have a great weekend!
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- Craig Fenton 12 years ago
  
  Hi again David:
  
  I should point out you will do well with voice overs!
  
  I was in the radio industry as an announcer for a number of years as well as a writer, published author, and public speaker. Communications (unlike website coding) is something I know well!
  
  Good luck with your projects!
  
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  David Beroff 12 years ago
  
  Originally Posted by Craig Fenton
  
  I should point out you will do well with voice overs!
  
  Thank you!
  
  Thanks
  
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- David Beroff 12 years ago
  
  OK. Well, if you change your mind, my offer's always open for you!
  
  Thanks
  
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  Craig Fenton 12 years ago
  
  Hi David:
  
  If anyone asks me about voice overs I would be glad to forward your information. Since you tried to be helpful to me, it is only right.
  
  If you change your mind about installing scripts let me know as well.
  
  As for the script I had a feeling it would be way over my ability.
  
  I am not even understanding (never mind the technical part) but the steps.
  
  Thanks again!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
  
  Thanks
  
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David Beroff 12 years ago

I guess I didn't communicate clearly enough, Craig. I was trying to say that I'll just do this for you, for no charge, in appreciation of some future business. No big deal. Just send me the details, hosting account password, etc., to me; I'm David (at) Beroff (dot) com.
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- Craig Fenton 12 years ago
  
  Hi David:
  
  Thanks.
  
  As of now the project is not set but when it is I will email you.
  
  In the mean time I want to do something for you.
  
  Is there a link I can post on Facebook and Twitter for you about the voice-over service? When I was promoting my Rock & Roll books I used to have a pretty decent Twitter following. Even now I have 6000 if memory serves me well and on Facebook many musicians come to my page because of the books/interviews I have done.
  
  If there is website/blog link I would be happy to post for you and then show proof I did (via private message).
  
  Thank you so much!
  
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David Beroff 12 years ago

Thank you. I'll have to put together a website for that; I really should have one, anyway! LOL!
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- Craig Fenton 12 years ago
  
  Hi David:
  
  The website or Blog would be great. Obviously the email address has to remain protected.
  
  The second you have a link to a website/blog let me know and I will plug them for you.
  
  Thanks!
  
  Thanks
  
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