Redirects and Vanity URLs

Provide alternate paths to your page.

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Last reviewed: February 7, 2025

Overview

Visitors can be automatically switched from one URL to another, using server redirects, UBCMS 'vanity URLs' or redirect pages, or third-party URL shorteners. These solve problems from previously published links or help to promote a alternate path to your pages.

UBCMS Vanity URLS

Unlike server redirects, a Vanity URL is set up in the UBCMS and can be created and managed by your own Web team.  

A Vanity URL will redirect visitors to a page on your site; e.g. from www.buffalo.edu/abc to www.buffalo.edu/yoursite/somepath/targetpage.

The URL people start at can be fictional and does not need to correspond to a real, published page, but the final target page does need to be an actual page in the UBCMS.

You can create a Vanity URL to direct visitors to any site you manage, but the URL you provide to your visitors must be one of the domains that the UBCMS controls, such as www.buffalo.edu or one of the subdomains already established within the UBCMS (e.g. nursing.buffalo.edu).

If your URL is already being adjusted by a server redirect, speak to the DCT Help Team for advice. For example, cas.buffalo.edu and sphhp.buffalo.edu are already handled specially, which will complicate how the Vanity URL is built. Please also see the additional restrictions and exceptions that are noted below.

Before you start...
  • Open your proposed Vanity URL in a browser first to be sure it does not hijack someone else's page.
  • Only use wording that falls within your own area of authority; e.g. Dining Services should not use "UB Bulls" without authorization.

UBCMS Redirect Pages

The UBCMS supports a special type of page that simply serves as a built-in redirect from its apparent location to the actual page on your site. These can be built in Shared Content or as a regular Web page, using the appropriate template.

  1. Click Create and Page and choose the Redirect template.
  2. Open the page and then open the single editable spot on the page: Redirect to.
    (NB. because no components can be added to this page, your Sidekick will look empty.)
  3. In the settings dialog box, choose between:
    • Redirect to file - Provide an asset from the DAM or uploaded from your desktop.
    • Redirect to page - Enter an external URL, with the 'https://' prefix, or use the magnifying glass chooser to select an internal UBCMS page.
  4. Click OK and activate this page.

For standard UBCMS pages, while you can set a redirect in page Properties, we do not recommend this solution, because nothing in Author shows that the page is being used as a redirect.  

Known Issue

Redirect pages cannot have working children.  You can create a child page, but will not be able to edit its contents, because the UBCMS knows that its parent will effectively block access to that child page.  Read more about this known issue.

Server Redirects

Server redirects are created and managed by UBit.

These higher order paths guide how people access any UB website, not just those in the UBCMS, provided UB manages that domain or server. Set for a temporary (one-year) or persistent (three year renewable) period, they must be supported by a good business case.

A server redirect is the only method to handle:

  • regex regular expressions for a pattern of URLs (e.g. multiple related paths routing to one page)
  • redirects from or to a non-UBCMS site
  • redirects from a UB subdomain that does not exist in the UBCMS
  • URLs that require additional parameters (e.g. '?variable=value')

If you would like to request a server redirect, please assemble your business case and contact the DCT Help Team.

After you retire this tactic, or as an alternative, consider implementing a custom 404 error page. This will load when the ‘wrong’ URL is requested, with your unit’s branding and additional clarification how to find the content that is sought. > Read more about custom error pages

Temporary Redirect

  • Purpose: To support a short-term business need such as a website migration, or marketing campaign (hard copy or sent email).
  • Duration: One year.  Normally non-renewable.
  • Requires a business case.
  • Examples:
    • geology.buffalo.edu -> arts-sciences.buffalo.edu/geology.html
    • facilities.buffalo.edu -> buffalo.edu/administrative-services/managing-facilities.html

Persistent Redirect

  • Purpose:  To support user expectations, industry standards, or institutional needs (including brand, legal requirement or contract).
  • Duration: Three year, renewable on request.
  • Requires a strong business case.
  • Examples:
    • education.buffalo.edu -> ed.buffalo.edu
    • news.buffalo.edu -> buffalo.edu/news
    • cas.buffalo.edu -> arts-sciences.buffalo.edu

URL Shorteners

A final option is to use a 'URL shortener' service, like Bit.ly or TinyURL.com. These free services allow you to choose a specific URL, if it's not already taken, such as http://bit.ly/UBCareerFair, as an equivalent to one of your Web pages.  And if you register, you can track the clicks on the link, which is very handy for assessing the effectiveness of links sent out in emails.

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