whatAsoft: Redirects

What this solution does

Free module for creating, automatically generating, and managing redirects on sites powered by 1C-Bitrix. The tool allows changing page addresses, moving products and sections, configuring temporary redirects, and unifying URL formats without manual editing of the .htaccess file or programming. The solution is compatible with any edition of the 1C-Bitrix: Site Management product and does not require installing additional components from whatAsoft.

Redirects are necessary when page addresses change due to relocation, site structure updates, product transfers, category renaming, campaign endings, or removal of outdated landing pages. Without proper redirect configuration, old addresses stop working: visitors encounter errors, external links point to non-existent pages, and search engines must independently locate current URLs. The module automatically redirects users from old addresses to new ones and allows centralized management of these rules within the administrative panel.

Key features include manual creation of redirect rules.

The module allows creating redirect rules directly within the 1C-Bitrix: Site Management control panel. For each rule, you can specify the source address, new address, redirect code, site identifier, GET parameter handling mode, and the start and end dates and times for the rule's validity. Rules can be activated or deactivated as needed.

The destination URL can be either an internal site page or a full address of an external resource. Supported redirect codes include 301 (Moved Permanently), 302 (Found), 303 (See Other), 307 (Temporary Redirect), and 308 (Permanent Redirect). By default, the permanent redirect 301 is used.

The module automatically creates redirect rules when URLs of information block elements or sections change. In settings, you can select specific information blocks to monitor for URL changes. For example, if a product is moved to another category or a section's symbolic code is changed, the module compares the old and new URLs and automatically generates a redirect rule.

The module automatically creates active redirect rules using the 301 status code, linking them to sites within the corresponding information block.

If a page address changes multiple times, the module updates previous rules to direct all old URLs immediately to the last active address. This reduces redirect chains, which positively affects the transfer of weight to the target page.

Upon saving, the module validates the format of the source address and redirect rules. The source must be specified as a relative path without a domain, starting with a forward slash. Character case is case-sensitive. The module prevents the creation of duplicate redirects for the same address and site, self-redirects, circular redirects, and chains consisting of multiple redirects. If a chain occurs due to automatic URL changes, the module shortens it by directing previous addresses straight to the current page.

For redirects, you can set a start and end date and time in advance. This is useful when the redirect needs to operate for a limited period, such as during a promotional campaign or an event.

The module handles redirects during temporary page unavailability, phased section migration, or seasonal landing page updates. If no time period is specified, the active rule operates permanently.

Each rule supports two modes for handling GET parameters: preserving them or discarding them. Preserving parameters allows advertising UTM tags to be passed to the new page. The default mode discards parameters, redirecting visitors to a clean destination URL without the original query string.

The module supports multi-site installations within 1C-Bitrix. A single rule can be linked to one or multiple sites. Different destinations can be configured for the same source address across different sites; the module considers the current site identifier when executing the rule. The 'Sites' field is mandatory; a rule without a selected site will not execute.

Global URL formatting rules can be set in the module settings for the entire site: enforcing HTTPS or HTTP, ensuring the presence or absence of the www prefix, and mandating a trailing slash.

The module applies all rules sequentially and performs a single final redirect. This prevents a chain of intermediate transitions when changing the protocol, domain, and address format simultaneously.

Storage and bulk processing

Redirects are stored in a separate standard information block, which is automatically created upon module installation. For bulk operations, standard 1C-Bitrix tools are available:

Import from CSV.

Export to CSV and XML.

Update existing rules.

Mass deactivation.

Deletion of records missing from the import file.

A sample CSV file tailored to the property identifiers of the specific installation is available on the settings page.

Rule list management

Since rules are stored in a standard information block, administrators have access to familiar 1C-Bitrix features:

Search and filtering.

Mass enabling and disabling.

Mass editing.

Mass deletion.

Configuration of visible columns.

Standard access rights management.

By default, filters are available by name, activity status, and validity period. Additional fields can be enabled via the information block view settings.

Migration to a new platform

When moving to a new system, it is important to preserve organic traffic. Prepare redirect rules in a CSV file and import them in two clicks.

Changing product or section URLs

If the symbolic code of a category or product is changed, the module automatically creates a redirect from the old address to the new one.

Moving a product to another category

When the parent section changes, the product URL changes. The old address remains active and redirects visitors to the current page.

Updating site structure

During catalog reorganization, redirect rules can be uploaded in bulk from a CSV file to preserve transitions from old pages.

Temporary promotional page

Set up a redirect for a promotional period and specify the date for automatic deactivation.

Unifying protocol and domain

Standardize site addresses to a single format: HTTPS, with or without the www prefix, and with or without a trailing slash.

Who is this module for

This solution is useful for website and online store owners, 1C-Bitrix administrators, content managers, SEO specialists, developers, integrators, and marketers.

Upon installation, the module automatically creates a dedicated information block for storing redirect rules and adds a management section to the site's administrative panel. No modifications to .htaccess, site files, or source code are required; simply activate the module and configure the necessary settings.

Note that the module does not process redirects configured in .htaccess, web server configuration files, init.php, or third-party modules and components. If other redirection mechanisms are already in use on the site, verify their compatibility with the module's rules before proceeding.

The current version does not support regular expressions, URL masks and templates, bulk redirection of page groups via a single rule, importing rules from .htaccess, automatic detection of 404 error pages, activity logging, or transition statistics. However, the module automatically checks for duplicates, cycles, and redirect chains, preventing the saving of potentially conflicting rules.

whatAsoft: Redirects is an independent free module that can be used separately from other products developed by the company.

whatAsoft: Redirects is a module for managing redirects on websites and online stores running on the 1C-Bitrix platform. The tool simplifies administration and reduces manual effort when configuring routing.

General iT can handle the implementation of “whatAsoft: Redirects”, from installation to configuration and compatibility checks.