Homepage Redirects in HubSpot Free? Here's the Workaround

So, you're diving into HubSpot and hit a snag with homepage redirects in the free tier? You're not alone! A community member recently ran into this exact issue, trying to ensure that both https://www.example.com/ and https://www.example.com/en-za (without the trailing slash) land on the preferred https://www.example.com/en-za/.

The challenge? HubSpot's free tier has limitations, and URL redirects within HubSpot itself aren't available. Let's explore the solutions offered and how you can tackle this redirect hurdle.

Understanding the Limitations

One respondent pointed out a crucial detail: if your domain isn't hosted on HubSpot's CMS, HubSpot can't directly control root-level redirects. The power to manage those redirects lies with your hosting provider.

Another community member confirmed that URL redirects are only available in the Content Hub Starter, Professional, and Enterprise plans, as well as Marketing/Service Hub Professional/Enterprise, and only for HubSpot-hosted domains. So, if you're on the free plan, you'll need to look outside of HubSpot for the solution.

The Solution: Your DNS or Hosting Provider

The recommended workaround is to configure the redirects directly within your DNS or hosting provider's control panel. Think cPanel, Cloudflare, or whatever system manages your domain's settings. Here’s how you can generally approach this:

1. Log into your hosting account: Access the control panel provided by your hosting provider.
2. Find the DNS settings: Look for sections like “DNS Zone Editor,” “DNS Management,” or similar. The naming varies.
3. Create the redirects: Within the DNS settings, you’ll typically find options to create redirects. You'll need to set up two redirects:
• Redirect https://www.example.com/ to https://www.example.com/en-za/
• Redirect https://www.example.com/en-za to https://www.example.com/en-za/
4. Save your changes: Ensure you save the new redirect rules. It might take some time (up to 48 hours, though usually much faster) for the changes to propagate across the internet.

Important Considerations:

• HTTPS: Make sure your redirects handle HTTPS correctly. If you have an SSL certificate installed (and you should!), the redirects should preserve the secure connection.
• 301 vs. 302 Redirects: Use a 301 redirect (permanent redirect) for SEO purposes, as it tells search engines that the page has permanently moved.

Why This Matters for E-commerce

Consistent URLs are crucial for SEO and user experience, especially for e-commerce sites. If customers or search engines are directed to different versions of your homepage, it can dilute your SEO efforts and confuse visitors. Ensuring a clean, consistent URL structure is a basic but vital step in optimizing your online store. This is especially true if you're using HubSpot for CRM and marketing automation alongside your e-commerce platform, as accurate tracking and attribution depend on consistent URLs.

ESHOPMAN Team Comment

This HubSpot Community discussion highlights a common pain point: feature limitations in free tiers. While HubSpot's free tools are powerful, redirects often require a paid plan or external solutions. Configuring redirects at the DNS level is a solid workaround, but it's essential to understand the implications for SEO (use 301 redirects!) and security (HTTPS). For e-commerce businesses serious about growth, investing in a paid HubSpot plan or a robust e-commerce platform with built-in redirect management is often the best long-term solution.

So, while HubSpot's free tier might not offer built-in redirect magic, a little DNS configuration can work wonders. It's all about understanding the tools at your disposal and finding the right workaround to keep your website running smoothly and your customers happy. If you're looking for a more integrated e-commerce experience within HubSpot, consider exploring platforms like ESHOPMAN that offer built-in storefront and e-commerce functionality.