Redirects send users from one URL to another and should follow a consistent structure in order to promote the university brand and help users easily navigate the USNH web universe.
Purpose and audience
At USNH, redirects are used only to point between the pages of each institution (keene.edu, Plymouth.edu, unh.edu). These can be pages that have been moved or deleted, if a typo in marketing materials points to an incorrect URL, or if a much easier URL is required in order to promote the university brand or help users more easily navigate. The redirect will help visitors arrive at the right site location.
Guidelines
Redirects
Examples of redirects:
- www.unh.edu/main/leadership could be redirected to www.unh.edu/leadership
- https://www.plymouth.edu/deposit/ redirects to https://www.plymouth.edu/prospective/undergraduate/admissions/pay-your-… as a shortened URL for printed materials
To make a redirect request
- Please submit a Software Development work request form.
- If your request is approved, you will receive an email letting you know the redirect has been put in place.
- Redirects remain in place for one year.
- <30 days prior to the six month one year expiration date, you will receive a reminder notice that your redirect is about to expire.
- Remember to update references to your web address on stationary, email, etc.
It's a good idea to thoroughly review all web addresses in marketing materials or public announcements before they are published, which can help avoid the need for redirects.
External redirects
Historically, the university system does not authorize external redirects unless there is a relationship with an outside vendor. For example, mycourses is redirected to Canvas. External redirects require a contract with Enterprise Technology & Services (ET&S), or approval from a dean.
Well-established plymouth.edu, keene.edu or unh.edu websites that move to external sites may request a one-time one-year redirect. Any address containing "Keene, Plymouth or UNH" should be owned by a USNH entity and approved by ET&S.
Otherwise .edu domain names may not be redirected to externally-hosted sites.
Support
For support, questions, or to request redirect, please contact ET&S Software Development.
Responsibility for content
Anyone who creates a URL is responsible for complying with all applicable policies and this standard. When address conflicts arise, such as nearly identical addresses for unrelated groups on campus, the Digital Communications Governance Team will provide a recommendation.
Archiving
Redirects remain in place for one year. An email will be sent out 30 days and then one week prior to the redirect being removed.
Violations
ET&S reserves the right to remove any redirect that it considers violating this standard or any other USNH policies.
If inappropriate, inaccurate or conflicting redirects are discovered, ET&S will contact the site administrator(s) to discuss the issue. If the site or content owner cannot be contacted or is no longer at USNH, that content will be administered by ET&S and can be removed if deemed inaccurate or inappropriate. When content is obviously unacceptable, ET&S Software Development will immediately remove the content prior to contacting the site owner. Unacceptable redirects also may cause website access to be suspended.
