When you add preferred domain in google webmaster tools, google takes some time to show you changes.

301 is the permanent redirection for all search engine.

Just ensure that when entering the non-www version into the address bar, it immediately re-directs to the www version. To triple-check it's set up correctly, use a Firefox plugin called Live HTTP headers. This way you can make sure it's a 301 re-direct, not a 302.

If you've only just set up the re-direct, it will take time for Google to de-index your non-www content. Unfortunately, play the waiting game. But if you're posting good, relevant content on a regular basis and have good social signals, the time this takes will be reduced.

Are you sure you applied for the non-www version

Thanks Guys...great help ;-)

Yep it does that...cheers

Couldnt quite figure how to use/read the results of the add-on/extension...bit over my skill level im afraid. However i did a triple check using 301 and 302 Redirect Checker - Check up to 4 levels of results and it checks out fine...cheers

So, does that mean I should setup the 301 redirect plugin 1ST - configure 301 redirects etc BEFORE setting adding both WWW version/setting the preferred domain etc in Google Webmaster tools??

Cheers
Rick

I wouldn't recommend messing around with 301s and such when a rel=canonical will do just the job! Install Yoast SEO for Wordpress and you'll be all set! (Kudos for already doing the right thing in Webmaster Tools!)

I have installed Yoast SEO...but I'm a little concerned after reading How to Properly Set up WordPress 301 Redirects to maintain SEO & Inbound Links

...can you elaborate on a "rel=canonical will do the job"???

Finally...Can you or others here, offer any insight/advice on these 2 new related questions I have:

1- If I don't use the WP plugin 'Simple 301 Redirects' and instead opt to edit the .htaccess file (to point non-WWW version to the WWW) with code:

RewriteEngine On
RewriteBase /
RewriteCond % ^example.com [NC]
RewriteRule ^(.*)$ http://www.example.com/$1 [L,R=301]


...Then does the code above act as a catch-all for all pages/posts on the site underneath the homepage?? ...or do I need to repeat the code for each page/post???

2- In my Yoast SEO plugin...I have configured a trailing slash. Im not actually sure why i have but read it was a good idea...anyway when entering the URL of the original and destination locations (in either the plugin or .htaccess) should I finish it with the trailing slash '/' ???

Thanks very much

Thanks mate :-)


Can someone please give me some answers/advice re questions below?

1- If I don't use the WP Plugin 'Simple 301 Redirects' (because, it seems to me I have to add every page and post - and at the moment I have just added a 301 for the non-www of the home page to the www version of the home page within this plugin) and instead opt to edit the .htaccess file (to point non-WWW version to the WWW) with code:

RewriteEngine On
RewriteBase /
RewriteCond % ^example.com [NC]
RewriteRule ^(.*)$ http://www.example.com/$1 [L,R=301]


...Then does the code above act as a Global/Catch-all for all pages/posts on the site underneath the homepage to tell search engines all pages found using the 'WWW'?? ...or do I need to repeatedly enter the code for each page/post???

2- In my Yoast SEO plugin...I have configured a trailing slash. I'm not actually sure why I have but read it was a good idea...anyway when entering the URL (whether in the plugin or via editing the .htaccess) of the original page and destination location should I enter the URL also with the trailing slash '/' ???

Cheers

if you recently add the 301 redirection, then google takes time to reindexed your pages with www. you don't need to worry. Just check the indexing after 10 to 15 days, If the problem is still on then you need to check your redirection codes.