This snapshot taken on 02/04/2007, shows web content selected for preservation by The National Archives. External links, forms and search boxes may not work in archived websites.
When a page is removed from its web location and is not replaced with an alternative at the same URL a web server will return an Error 404 to the user.
This is particularly unhelpful to the user so it is the web manager’s responsibility to ensure that a replacement page is provided at the same URL.
When you are redesigning your website or if for operational reasons you are planning to:
a. close down (delete) an active web page that is considered out of date and it has been decided not to archive it, or
b. change the location (URL) of a current page;
then you should carefully consider the consequences to:
You should review the traffic to the page and then consult your server administrator to establish a server-side redirect facility on your original URL. The level of traffic should give some indication has to how long you need to support a redirect page.
When you are removing pages permanently from your website - it is important to check how this conforms to your Department’s Electronic Records Management policy.
See section 2.1.4 Do not change names when moving files.
See section 4.2.5 Uses for metatags.
Examples of redirect pages
File not found
Redirect
The page you have requested on this web server no longer exists. Please refer to [substitute URL ] for information/guidance/search facility [select which is appropriate for your site].
This page will automatically redirect you within 5 seconds. If it fails to do so please use the above hyperlink.
File not found
Redirect
The page you have requested on this web server has moved to a new location at [add new URL]. Please consider updating your bookmark.
This page will automatically redirect you within 5 seconds. If it fails to do so please use the above hyperlink.