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Create a Redirect Ownership Register for an Outsourced Redesign
Track why redirects exist, who approves changes, how destinations are tested, and when temporary rules expire.
**Published: September 4, 2026**
A redirect spreadsheet is useful only while its decisions remain understandable. Add ownership, rationale, and validation fields so an outsourced redesign team can implement changes without guessing which old URLs still matter.
Give every row a reason
Record the source URL, proposed destination, response type, reason, evidence source, approver, implementation location, and test result. Distinguish a permanent move from a temporary campaign detour or a page that should genuinely be removed.
Resolve collisions openly
Test what was actually deployed
Request each source without automatically following redirects, then check the destination content and status. Test representative capitalization, trailing-slash, protocol, hostname, and parameter cases that the current platform supports.
Keep the register after launch
Add the deployment date and configuration owner. Review temporary rules on their expiry date and investigate unexpected redirect chains. Never remove a rule solely because it looks old; check logs, links, and business purpose first.
Related guides
Preserve URLs during a redesign
Frequently asked questions
Should every deleted page redirect to the home page?
No. Use a relevant replacement when one exists; otherwise document the intended removal behavior.
Who owns the redirect register?
The client should name a web or search owner, while the production partner maintains implementation evidence.