How do I fix a 404 error when trying to redirect from a .html version of a blog post URL to the normal version in Webflow?

A 404 error can occur when trying to redirect from a .html version of a blog post URL to the standard version without the extension in Webflow. Here's how you can address this issue:

1. Set Up a 301 Redirect in Webflow

• Go to Project Settings: Start by navigating to your specific project in Webflow.
• Open the Hosting Tab: Click on the Hosting tab within your project settings.
• Locate the 301 Redirects Section: Scroll down until you find the 301 Redirects section.
• Create a New Redirect: Add a new redirect by specifying the old path (with .html) in the format /old-url.html and the new path without .html as /new-url.
• Save the Changes: Click on Save Changes to implement the redirect.

2. Publish Your Site

• Publish the Changes: After setting up the 301 redirect, make sure to publish your site for the changes to take effect.
• Test the Redirect: Once the site is published, test the old .html URL to ensure it correctly redirects to the intended URL without the extension.

3. Check DNS Settings

• Review DNS Settings: Ensure that your domain’s DNS records are correctly set up to point to Webflow’s servers.
• Standard DNS Records: The correct DNS records typically include (a) 75.2.70.75 and (b) 99.83.190.102.

4. Clear Browser and Server Cache

• Clear Browser Cache: Sometimes cached pages in the browser can serve old data. Clear your browser cache and try accessing the URL again.
• Clear Webflow CDN Cache: If issues persist, consider clearing the Webflow CDN cache, which requires republishing the site.

5. Verify URL Structures

• Check URL Structures: Ensure that there are no typos in the URLs entered for the redirect.
• Consistency: The old and new URL structures should be consistent with other URLs on your site.

Summary

To fix a 404 error when trying to redirect from a .html URL to a standard one, set up a 301 redirect in Webflow's Hosting tab, publish the site, check your DNS settings, and clear any caches. These steps should help resolve the redirection issue effectively.