How to change 302 to 301 redirect in Opencart

By default, OpenCart automatically enables 302 redirects. However, using 302 redirects is not ideal for SEO purposes because they indicate a temporary redirect. For better search engine optimization, it’s important to use 301 redirects, which signify a permanent move. This article provides a step-by-step guide on how to change 302 redirects to 301 redirects in OpenCart.

Why Use 301 Redirects?

301 redirects are essential for maintaining your website’s SEO rankings when a URL changes permanently. Unlike 302 redirects, which are temporary and do not pass the SEO value to the new URL, 301 redirects ensure that link equity and ranking power are transferred to the new URL. This helps in preserving your search engine rankings and provides a better user experience.

Steps to Change 302 to 301 Redirects

Follow these instructions to change the default 302 redirects to 301 redirects in OpenCart:

Step 1: Modify the Response Library

Open the /system/library/response.php file and locate the following line:

public function redirect($url, $status = 302) {

Change it to:

>public function redirect($url, $status = 301) {

This change ensures that all redirects will use a 301 status code by default.

Step 2: Update SEO Pro Controller

If the /catalog/controller/common/seo_pro.php file exists, you need to update it as well. Locate the following line:

$this->response->redirect($seo);

Change it to:

$this->response->redirect($seo, 301);

This change ensures that SEO-related redirects also use a 301 status code.

Step 3: Clear Cache and Reload the Page

After making the above changes, clear your OpenCart cache to ensure the updates take effect. Reload your website to verify that the redirects are now using a 301 status code.

Conclusion

Changing 302 redirects to 301 redirects in OpenCart is a straightforward process that can significantly benefit your website’s SEO. By following the steps outlined above, you can ensure that your redirects are permanent and that your site retains its search engine rankings. Regularly check your redirects to maintain optimal SEO performance.