how to: redirect a blogger blog to a new URL

posted on

A few months ago, I made the drastic decision to change my URL - and everything that follows. This was potentially extremely risky because 1) all traffic could disappear 2) people could get lost on their way through redirects and give up trying to find this here blog and 3) Awkward Donkey was my baby, I'd had the URL for three-ish years, and it's what people had come to know me as. However, I had been unhappy with my URL for some time, and felt that a change of scene could only be a good thing.

I lost 4,500 readers in one month.


Okay, I am being slightly dramatic. But last month's stats on this blog only reached 1,593, whereas my old URL fluctuated dearly. Hopefully, 1,593 of you guys followed my haphazard link to this blog, but what happened to the other 3,000ish of you??

So, long story short, I decided to set up a redirect on my old URL, so that anyone looking for Awkward Donkey would just have to click my old link and sit back whilst the internet pushes them down the e-slide to this here blog. How did I do it?

step one
Open up your blogger account, and click the old blog from your dashboard. Once you're on the average 'edit' page, you will see a sidebar like shown to the left. Click 'template'.

step two
On the main section of the screen, you will see two boxes, one labelled 'live on blog' and one labelled 'mobile'. Under 'live on blog' click 'edit HTML' (as illustrated to the right).

step three
You will then be faced with a (very complicated-looking) box full of HTML text. Locate the part the says '<head>' (shown below).

step four
Copy and paste the following text a line below <head>, changing 'yourbloggerurl' to your URL, and editing the '2' to however many seconds you would like the redirect to wait for.

<meta content='2;url=http://www.yourbloggerurl.com/' http-equiv='refresh'/>


And that is literally all you have to do! It took me centuries to work out how to do this, and so I hope that by sharing my divine knowledge I can save you guys time, effort, and page views.

Have a good day people!~~
81 comments:
by
Labels:

81 comments:

  1. Amy18 January 2015 at 13:07

    This is so helpful, thank you so much for sharing! ♥
    Amy xx

    Perfect Imperfections

    ReplyDelete
  2. Eileen18 January 2015 at 14:00

    Thanks for sharing! I'll definitely keep this in mind :)

    Eileen @ BookCatPin

    ReplyDelete
  3. Melanie18 January 2015 at 16:39

    I imagine this will be very helpful for others! When I went from blogger to wordpress I got my blog redirected as well, except someone did it for me and I didn't know how hah.

    Thanks for sharing, Amy! <33

    ReplyDelete
  4. Emilia19 January 2015 at 07:16

    Very helpful post, it might be useful in future :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Unknown19 January 2015 at 09:25

    Ahhh! I haven't been here since you changed your design, and I have one thing to say. It's FABULOUS! It looks amazing, and the title is a fresh new change (although I will miss Awkward Donkey). That's weird about your reader count though... maybe they didn't recognize your blog? Anyway, congrats on the new look, and I can't wait to see what you have up for us next :)
    - July, http://julyaemmance.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  6. Carmen Cotugno19 January 2015 at 14:07

    wow great, thanks :)
    Carmy1978.com

    ReplyDelete
  7. M19 January 2015 at 14:51

    I love your blog URL but changing it sounds so difficult for both you and your followers. But hey, I guess it's not starting from scratch, right? And you clearly still have loads of followers. So thanks for the tutorial. If I ever decide I'm unhappy with my URL, I might just use it.

    -M
    The Life of Little Me

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Amy Aed20 January 2015 at 06:15

      Yeah it was, but it's all good aha, awesome :3

      Delete
  8. Vikee 19 January 2015 at 16:19

    Lovely post

    Love Vikee
    www.slavetofashion9771.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  9. Amy Aed20 January 2015 at 06:15

    Thanks! ^^

    ReplyDelete
  10. Unknown20 January 2015 at 08:27

    This is a great tip! I bookmarked this page. Followed you with GFC please follow back! :)

    www.fashion-board.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  11. Aimee Van20 January 2015 at 09:23

    Thanks for commenting on my blog! xo I loved your old blog but this one is nice, too. The design is great, too.

    Anyway, this is really helpful! I really want to change my URL, too, but I'm really scared of losing my readers and once it's changed there's no way back. <3 Great to know that this is an option, though, and it's not as difficult as I'd thought.

    Also, you asked me about a box? *embarrassed* Could you explain what you meant because I have no idea!! Sorry ~

    Cloudy Dreams

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Amy Aed21 January 2015 at 10:41

      No problem aha c: And thank you! The box that you used in your thumbnail things? It's sort of faded and has text over it and fits above a photo of something?

      Delete
  12. Emanuela20 January 2015 at 09:28

    Sure, I'm following you now on GFC :) I'm waiting for u ♥

    ReplyDelete
  13. Dian20 January 2015 at 15:01

    Hi Amy, thank you for sharing this. It'll be really helpful in the future if I'd like to change the URL of a blog. Great that you managed to work it out. Happy blogging. :)

    Dian
    The Happy Candle

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Amy Aed21 January 2015 at 10:42

      No problem aha c; And thank you, back at you!

      Delete
  14. Iza21 January 2015 at 08:26

    More than helpful.
    Nice blog.
    xx
    Iza

    vintageiz.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  15. Tabitha (Pabkins)22 January 2015 at 21:35

    Well with gfc, it was a dead end anyway since it no longer fed into an rss reader so those people you lost probably weren't really following anyway just numbers you know? but great that you got your redirect going hopefully that helps!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Amy Aed23 January 2015 at 12:26

      I have no idea what that beginning bit means sorry xD And fingers crossed!

      Delete
  16. uppmake23 January 2015 at 09:47

    Oh thats very usefull! Great note

    ReplyDelete
  17. tr3ndygirl influencer e fashion blogger23 January 2015 at 10:02

    very interesting sharing dear
    I wish you an happy day
    http://tr3ndygirl.com

    ReplyDelete
  18. Unknown23 January 2015 at 15:44

    Love the new look of your Blog! This post is definitely a useful one!!! Will visit your page again if I planning to change my blog URL! xx
    Thanks for sharing! xx
    Sherina - ChocoChipChic.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Margaret Dallospedale23 January 2015 at 16:02

    Hi sweetie
    So interesting post
    very useful
    kisses
    Maggie D.
    Fashion Blog Maggie Dallospedale fashion diary

    ReplyDelete
  20. Unknown24 January 2015 at 01:16

    Aw such a lovely post, thanks for sharing!
    xx
    cvetybaby.com

    ReplyDelete
  21. CG @ Paper Fury24 January 2015 at 02:03

    Yep, this is exactly what I did too. WELL DONE. I actually saw someone asking how to do this the other day and now I can direct them to your post. ;-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Amy Aed24 January 2015 at 04:09

      Thank you!! But wasn't it a lot more difficult to change to WordPress?? And aw yay that sounds good ><

      Delete
  22. Maja K24 January 2015 at 02:08

    That's great of you to share :) I guess it's true about the traffic- it's necessary to let people know a few months beforehand :) xx Maja
    - http://modern-muffin.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Amy Aed24 January 2015 at 04:10

      Even with that I've still lost half my reads, but I think they were from redirect links or something?

      Delete
  23. Anonymous24 January 2015 at 03:16

    I found you again if that is weird! I have see your blog in such a long time and I am so glad I am back I love your blog even more great colour green. This is such a great guide for if ever I want to change my URL
    Thankyou,
    I recently did a blog post I would love you to look at and maybe be a part of ;)
    Another Teen On The Web

    ReplyDelete
  24. Bethan Downs24 January 2015 at 10:33

    This post is so useful, thank you! Also, you look absolutely beautiful in the picture on your sidebar. Wow, I wish I looked like you!

    Bethan
    xxxxxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Amy Aed24 January 2015 at 11:53

      It's okay aha, and aw aw thank you so much :3

      Delete
  25. Gabrielle24 January 2015 at 12:06

    I won't be changing my URL anytime soon, but I wish this post was around last summer when I changed to my current one haha! :)

    aglassofice.blogspot.co.uk

    x

    ReplyDelete
  26. Georgia Megan24 January 2015 at 12:49

    I've changed by blog url three times because I always get bored of my 'name' and this happens to me every time! This will be so helpful for the next time I change it (if I do!)
    http://whiteshirtchic.blogspot.co.uk/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Amy Aed25 January 2015 at 14:32

      Awh ahah I can so related to that xD Let me know if you do use my tips some day c:

      Delete
  27. Unknown25 January 2015 at 01:53

    Sorry to learn that you lost a part of your followers. I'm scared of changing this kind of things on my blog.

    Jasmine x
    For a Real Woman

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Amy Aed25 January 2015 at 14:33

      You shouldn't be scared - if you ever decide that a dramatic blog change is for you and that it'd be better with it then take the leap and go for it! ><

      Delete
  28. Unknown25 January 2015 at 04:40

    I am sorry to hear that. I'm sure you will get them back. :) You're blog looks really pretty. Thank you for dropping by my blog. You just got one new follower. Love the blog! x

    Sammie
    sammiethestargirl.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Amy Aed25 January 2015 at 14:34

      It's okay aha, and thank you :3 Also that's really lovely, I think I've already been following you for a while ahah xD

      Delete
  29. losaway25 January 2015 at 06:27

    Nice tip, thanks for sharing
    xx

    http://losaway.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  30. Unknown25 January 2015 at 10:49

    i'm so sorry for you ;(
    www.mrsnoone.it
    kiss

    ReplyDelete
  31. Unknown25 January 2015 at 11:17

    I'm really sorry for that dear, but nevertheless a really helpful post!

    Hope you had a nice weekend!
    xxx
    Bianca

    http://madamebalti.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  32. Corinne25 January 2015 at 13:23

    I just changed my URL on my fitness blog and did this exact same thing :)

    Corinne x
    www.skinnedcartree.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Amy Aed25 January 2015 at 14:31

      Ohmygosh yay, I'm so glad I could be of help!! ^^

      Delete
  33. Unknown26 January 2015 at 02:31

    Thanks dear

    Cultureandtrend

    ReplyDelete
  34. Allie @ Little Birdie Books26 January 2015 at 03:23

    I remember thinking how daunting it would be to redirect when I changed my URL, but man, it really is so simple. Great to put this up for people so they can know how quick it is :)

    ReplyDelete
  35. Coco26 January 2015 at 07:32

    Amy I experienced the same situation three months ago! You did a great job darling!!
    Baci,
    Coco et La vie en rose - Valeria Arizzi

    ReplyDelete
  36. Lexi27 January 2015 at 07:44

    This is actually really helpful since I may need to change my url soon. Great post! Love the new blog too! catchy name :)

    Xoxo. Alexis @ Lexi Swoons

    ReplyDelete
  37. Unknown28 January 2015 at 01:02

    I know what you mean, it's difficult when you change url or simply the provider. I did the same one year ago and It wasn't simple. You are doing great.
    xxx
    mari
    www.ilovegreeninspiration.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Amy Aed28 January 2015 at 03:14

      Totally, and I've never tried changing the provider but I would have thought that that would have been crazy difficult >< And thank you ^^

      Delete
  38. jeanne christine29 January 2015 at 21:43

    I've been thinking about changing my URL but haven't decided on it yet. This has been so helpful though. Will definitely keep this in mind if I ever decide to do it.

    www.jeannechristinemarie.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  39. 9 February 2015 at 10:24

    This is such a helpful tutorial Amy! I won't be redirecting my blog once my other one is made, only because I'm all about that "fresh start" ha ha!
    Lovely post, though! I'm definitely going to Pin it when I find time! xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Amy Aed9 February 2015 at 11:03

      Thank you dude c;

      And aw I totally know what you mean, I think I'll be king that with my travel blog ^^

      Delete
  40. Amy Aed15 February 2015 at 11:00

    AWH DUDE YOUR URL IS NOT STUPID, but if you were to change it we'd all totally support you c;

    That's totally cool, a lack of internet is just the worst, right??

    ReplyDelete
  41. Amy Aed24 February 2015 at 02:51

    Oh... well then I totally understand c;

    ReplyDelete
  42. Amy Aed24 February 2015 at 02:52

    OHMYGOSH YAY WOOP WOOP I AM A GENIUS.

    I'll check it out now c;

    ReplyDelete
  43. Imemily3 April 2015 at 08:26

    i have thought of changing my current url
    but discouraged by the thought what if I wrongly do in the html coding and my whole blog gone
    may i know if changing the url
    will that we lose the gfc and google plus followers as well?
    hope u reply me back at my blog
    thank you
    MY-Emily

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Amy Aed5 April 2015 at 08:24

      Yeah I know what you mean! No, you wouldn't lose your GFC and Google+ followers, but your views might drop for a few months.

      Delete

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)