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Hupspot Guide to PHP Redirects

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Hupspot Guide to PHP Redirects

Learning how PHP redirects work is essential when you manage landing pages, blogs, or microsites that support Hubspot campaigns. Correct redirects protect your SEO, maintain tracking, and ensure visitors always land on the right URL.

This guide walks you through PHP redirect methods, shows you how to set up 301 and 302 status codes, and explains common mistakes that can break tracking or cause browser errors.

What Is a PHP Redirect?

A PHP redirect sends visitors from one URL to another using a small script on the server. Instead of manually updating every old link, you can use code to forward people automatically.

PHP redirects are commonly used when you:

  • Move a page to a new URL
  • Migrate to a new domain
  • Fix outdated links in email or social posts
  • Split traffic between different pages for testing

When these URLs are involved in Hubspot workflows, proper redirect codes help keep analytics and lead attribution accurate.

How PHP Redirects Work

PHP sends HTTP headers to the browser before any HTML output. With the header() function, you can tell the browser that the page has moved and where to go next.

The basic flow is:

  1. PHP runs on the server.
  2. PHP outputs a Location header with a target URL.
  3. The browser receives the header and loads the new URL.

This mechanism is similar to how redirects are handled in server configuration files, but a PHP script gives you more control and can be edited without server-level access.

Basic PHP Redirect Example

The simplest redirect in PHP uses the header() function and a call to exit() so the script stops running after the redirect.

<?php
header('Location: https://example.com/new-page');
exit();

Place this code in a file such as redirect.php, upload it to your server, and then point your old URL to this PHP file.

Using HTTP Status Codes in PHP Redirects

To keep SEO strong for pages that support Hubspot marketing flows, you must send the right HTTP status code. Two codes matter most for redirects:

  • 301 Moved Permanently – Use when a page has a new permanent URL.
  • 302 Found (Temporary) – Use when a redirect is short-term, such as a limited-time promotion.

301 PHP Redirect Example

<?php
header('HTTP/1.1 301 Moved Permanently');
header('Location: https://example.com/new-page');
exit();

This tells search engines that the original URL has moved for good. Over time, ranking signals and link equity should consolidate on the new URL.

302 PHP Redirect Example

<?php
header('HTTP/1.1 302 Found');
header('Location: https://example.com/temporary-page');
exit();

Use a 302 when you plan to bring the original URL back later. This can be helpful for time-limited Hubspot campaign pages where you only want temporary rerouting.

Important Rules for PHP Redirects

Several technical details can break a redirect or cause unexpected behavior. Keep these rules in mind when working with PHP redirects that touch Hubspot forms, CTAs, or tracking URLs.

No Output Before header()

PHP must send headers before any HTML, whitespace, or text is output. If you echo content or have stray spaces before the opening <?php tag, you might see an error like “headers already sent.”

Good pattern:

<?php
header('Location: https://example.com');
exit();
?>
<!-- No HTML above this line -->

Always Call exit()

After sending the redirect header, use exit() so the script stops running. This prevents any extra output or processing, which is especially important when tracking or cookies are involved in Hubspot-connected pages.

Use Absolute URLs

For clarity and reliability, use full URLs (including https://) in your Location header:

header('Location: https://example.com/new-page');

Absolute URLs make it clear where the browser should go, and they reduce the risk of redirect loops.

Common PHP Redirect Use Cases for Hubspot

When your website content supports Hubspot campaigns, you often need structured redirect logic. Below are typical scenarios.

Redirect Old Blog URLs

If you reorganize your blog and change URL structures, you can use a PHP redirect on the old path to send visitors and search engines to the new article. This helps keep organic traffic flowing to pages that still connect to Hubspot forms and CTAs.

Campaign Landing Page Redirects

Sometimes you retire a campaign landing page but still have old links in emails or ads. A 301 redirect in PHP can push that traffic to a more current offer page, ensuring Hubspot continues capturing leads instead of sending people to a 404 page.

A/B Testing and Temporary Offers

For short-term experiments, a 302 redirect can send part of your audience to a test page. When combined with analytics and Hubspot tracking, this helps evaluate which offer or layout works better before committing to a new permanent URL.

Testing and Troubleshooting PHP Redirects

Always test redirects in a staging or development environment before applying them to URLs connected to Hubspot assets. A bad redirect can break forms, CTAs, or email links.

Checklist for testing:

  • Open the old URL in an incognito browser window.
  • Confirm it lands on the correct new URL.
  • Check the status code using your browser’s developer tools or an online header checker.
  • Verify that forms, tracking scripts, and analytics still work as expected.

If you encounter redirect loops, double-check that you are not sending traffic from a URL back to itself through another rule or script.

When to Use PHP vs. Other Redirect Methods

PHP redirects are powerful, but they are not always the only or best option. Alternatives include:

  • .htaccess or server config redirects – Fast and handled at the server level.
  • CMS-based redirects – Some content systems or tools like Hubspot provide redirect interfaces that non-developers can manage.
  • JavaScript redirects – Typically used only when server-side options are unavailable, as they depend on the browser and can be slower.

Use PHP redirects when you need script logic, conditional behavior, or when you do not have access to server configuration files.

Additional Resources and Next Steps

For more detail and original code examples for PHP redirects, review the article at this Hubspot resource on PHP redirects. It provides step-by-step explanations of different redirect types and scenarios.

If you need broader technical SEO guidance for sites that integrate with Hubspot, you can explore consulting support at Consultevo, which covers architecture, migration planning, and redirect mapping.

By setting up clean PHP redirects, choosing the right status codes, and following best practices, you keep users, search engines, and Hubspot tracking all aligned as your website evolves.

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