sabrinataylor83
09-26-2011, 10:21 PM
.htaccess is a configuration file that is uploaded to your Apache web server
(it doesn’t work with Windows servers). It’s a text file that allows you to
change the way your web pages work. For instance, you can put some commands
in the .htaccess file that password-protect certain areas of your site. You
can also use it to create a custom 404-error page or change which page of
your site will be the default home page.
For SEO purposes, you’ll often hear of it being used for redirects. For
instance, if you are redesigning your website and absolutely have to change
your URLs (because you’re putting a new content management system in, for
example), then you could use your .htaccess file to set up permanent
301-redirects from the old URLs to the new. I use mine most often to turn
long URLs (like those of affiliate links) into short, easy-to-remember URLs.
Just be careful when you use the .htaccess file for your site. One small
mistake can make your entire site stop working! Be sure to always back up
your old .htaccess file before you upload a new one in case this happens to
you (and if you work with one often, most likely it will!).
(it doesn’t work with Windows servers). It’s a text file that allows you to
change the way your web pages work. For instance, you can put some commands
in the .htaccess file that password-protect certain areas of your site. You
can also use it to create a custom 404-error page or change which page of
your site will be the default home page.
For SEO purposes, you’ll often hear of it being used for redirects. For
instance, if you are redesigning your website and absolutely have to change
your URLs (because you’re putting a new content management system in, for
example), then you could use your .htaccess file to set up permanent
301-redirects from the old URLs to the new. I use mine most often to turn
long URLs (like those of affiliate links) into short, easy-to-remember URLs.
Just be careful when you use the .htaccess file for your site. One small
mistake can make your entire site stop working! Be sure to always back up
your old .htaccess file before you upload a new one in case this happens to
you (and if you work with one often, most likely it will!).