How to Use the Redirect Spreadsheet

During your migration to Modern Campus CMS, every page that is not being brought forward must be redirected. The redirect spreadsheet (note: it is the second tab of this document) is how you document those decisions clearly and completely so old URLs do not result in broken links, 404 errors, or lost traffic.

Step 1: Make Your Own Copy

Open the shared spreadsheet and immediately make a copy for your unit. Delete the instructional row at the top before submitting your final version. Work only within your copied file.

Step 2: Identify Old Site URLs

In the “Old Site URL” column, list every page from your current site that will not exist in the new Modern Campus CMS site at the same URL. This includes pages you are deleting, consolidating, renaming, or restructuring. Be thorough. If a page exists today and will not exist at the same address after launch, it must be listed.

Step 3: Enter the New Destination URL

In the “New URL” column, enter the exact destination where that old page should redirect. This may be the newly migrated version of the page, a related page that now contains that content, or your site’s homepage if no comparable content exists. Do not leave this blank. Every old URL must have a clear destination.

Redirect Guidelines

Redirect to the most comparable page whenever possible rather than defaulting to your homepage. Avoid redirect chains. The New URL should be the final live destination. Include pages that may be bookmarked, linked from external sites, or indexed by search engines. Even if you believe traffic is low, document it.

When to Add a Redirect

Add a redirect when a page is removed, when a page URL changes due to folder restructuring, when multiple pages are merged into one, or when file names change. If the URL changes in any way, it should be captured.

What Not to Do

Do not ignore old pages because they “aren’t important.” Do not leave Old Site URLs undocumented. Do not redirect everything to the homepage unless there is truly no equivalent content.

Final Review Before Submission

Confirm that every old URL has a matching new destination. Double-check spelling and folder paths. Make sure the New URL reflects the final Modern Campus CMS structure. Submit the completed spreadsheet according to the migration instructions provided by Web Services.

Proper redirect mapping protects user experience, preserves search visibility, and prevents broken links during and after your site launch.