How to Redirect Blog Posts from WordPress to Webflow in Bulk
Learn how to efficiently migrate blog URLs from WordPress to Webflow using wildcard redirects. This guide explains setting up multiple redirect rules—using the percent sign (%) for directories with more than one word—and how to handle single URL names.
Migrating a blog from WordPress to Webflow involves ensuring that all your old URLs properly redirect to your new structure. In a recent client project, I needed to redirect several different old URL structures to a single, unified format. The key was using Webflow’s wildcard redirects correctly, particularly by adding the percent sign (%) where necessary.
Bulk Wildcard Redirects for Multi-Word Directories
The client’s WordPress site featured multiple URL paths, such as:
/branding%-marketing%-consulting%-blogs/(.*)/business%-transformation%-blogs/(.*)/concept%-creation%-blogs/(.*)/customer%-experience%-consulting%-blogs/(.*)/inside%-hospitality%-blog/(.*)
Each of these needed to be redirected to the new format:/blogs/%1
Here, %1 references the captured segment from (.*) in the old URL.
Important Note:
If the directory in the URL contains more than one word, you must add a % in the old path. This ensures that the wildcard syntax correctly interprets and captures the multi-word directory names. For example, the rule:
/branding%-marketing%-consulting%-blogs/(.*) → /blogs/%1
captures the post slug (the part after the folder) and redirects it accordingly.
Redirecting Single URL Names
In addition to bulk redirects, you might also need to redirect single URL names. For instance, if you have a URL structure like:
/post/(.*)
and you want to redirect it to:
/insights/%1
you can set up a rule as follows:
- From:
/post/(.*) - To:
/insights/%1
Since /post is a single word, there is no need to add a % in the old path here. The %1 in the new URL will capture the remaining part of the URL after /post/.
Key Takeaways
- Wildcard Redirects: Use
(.*)to capture trailing content in your URLs. - Percent Placeholder: The
%in your redirect rule is crucial for inserting captured URL segments. Always add%in the old path if the directory contains more than one word. - Multiple Old Paths: You can individually set up multiple old paths to redirect to the same new URL structure, streamlining the migration process.
- Single URL Redirects: For simpler cases like
/post/(.*)to/insights/%1, the setup is straightforward—no extra%is needed in the old path.
Transitioning from WordPress to Webflow doesn’t have to be a headache. By correctly configuring wildcard redirects with the right syntax, you can ensure a seamless migration of your blog URLs, preserving SEO value and user experience. Need help? Get in touch and see how I can help.
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