How do I fix a 404 error when trying to redirect from a .html version of a blog post URL to the normal version in Webflow?
TL;DR
- Set up a 301 redirect in Webflow's Hosting tab, publish the site, and verify the redirect works.
- Check DNS settings to ensure proper domain connection to Webflow.
- Clear browser and Webflow CDN cache to avoid cached data issues.
- Verify URL structures to ensure accuracy and consistency.
A 404 error can occur when trying to redirect from a .html version of a blog post URL to the standard version without the extension in Webflow. Here's how you can address this issue:
1. Set Up a 301 Redirect in Webflow
- Go to Project Settings: Start by navigating to your specific project in Webflow.
- Open the Hosting Tab: Click on the Hosting tab within your project settings.
- Locate the 301 Redirects Section: Scroll down until you find the 301 Redirects section.
- Create a New Redirect: Add a new redirect by specifying the old path (with
.html) in the format/old-url.htmland the new path without.htmlas/new-url. - Save the Changes: Click on Save Changes to implement the redirect.
2. Publish Your Site
- Publish the Changes: After setting up the 301 redirect, make sure to publish your site for the changes to take effect.
- Test the Redirect: Once the site is published, test the old
.htmlURL to ensure it correctly redirects to the intended URL without the extension.
3. Check DNS Settings
- Review DNS Settings: Ensure that your domain’s DNS records are correctly set up to point to Webflow’s servers.
- Standard DNS Records: The correct DNS records typically include (a)
75.2.70.75and (b)99.83.190.102.
4. Clear Browser and Server Cache
- Clear Browser Cache: Sometimes cached pages in the browser can serve old data. Clear your browser cache and try accessing the URL again.
- Clear Webflow CDN Cache: If issues persist, consider clearing the Webflow CDN cache, which requires republishing the site.
5. Verify URL Structures
- Check URL Structures: Ensure that there are no typos in the URLs entered for the redirect.
- Consistency: The old and new URL structures should be consistent with other URLs on your site.
Summary
To fix a 404 error when trying to redirect from a .html URL to a standard one, set up a 301 redirect in Webflow's Hosting tab, publish the site, check your DNS settings, and clear any caches. These steps should help resolve the redirection issue effectively.
