: How do you do 301 redirects when you've changed platforms? A client is having problems with 301 redirects producing 404 Error messages. They previously had a WP site, but decided to change it

Posted in: #301Redirect #Html #Redirects #Wordpress

A client is having problems with 301 redirects producing 404 Error messages. They previously had a WP site, but decided to change it to an HTML one. They are using the same domain name, and hosting is with the same webhost - with a change from WP hosting to a VPS. The redirects in the .htaccess file are in this format:

Redirect 301 /double-glazing-information/double-glazing-resources example.com/how-double-glazing-works.html

The WP account has been deleted, together with the WP site files, so the pages no longer exist. We simply want to catch any bookmarking or linking to the old pages, and redirect them to the relevant page on the HTML site.

Typing example.com/double-glazing-information/double-glazing-resources (the old WP page) into my browser produces the 404 Error:

The requested URL /double-glazing-information/double-glazing-resources was not found on this server.

Additionally, a 404 Not Found error was encountered while trying to use an ErrorDocument to handle the request.

What are we doing wrong?

Further info:

Both the old site and new site are/were with the same host (Dreanhost). We were advised that we had to shut down the old WP account, before the same domain could be included in the VPS account. So we closed the account, and deleted the files.
However, we DO have a Backup Buddy copy of the old WP site.
The .htaccess file reads like this. Only the first 6 or so pages are listed here due to a posting limitation of 8 links. My email is envirofriendly(at)gmail(dot)com if anyone wants the full .htaccess contents, or further discussion.

RewriteEngine On
RewriteCond %{HTTPS} !=on
RewriteRule ^(.*)$ %{HTTP_HOST}%{REQUEST_URI} [L,R=301]

Redirect 301 /about ecohomesolutions/melbourne-home-show-double-glazing-showcase
Redirect 301 /about/double-glazing-showroom ecohomesolutions/melbourne-double-glazing-showroom
Redirect 301 /about/double-glazing-certifications ecohomesolutions/double-glazing-certifications
Redirect 301 /about/double-glazing-warranty-10-years ecohomesolutions.com.au
Redirect 301 /about/terms-conditions ecohomesolutions.com.au