Question about 301 Permanent Redirects

[BigSlick]

Hi All,

I recently changed hosts and I want to try and maintain all the backlinks that I have accumulated over the few posts I have written on my blog.

The old backlinks, which no longer work are essentially domain.com/date/post-title.html

The new structure is now domain.com/date/post-title/ without the .html extension.

I tried to do a 301 redirect on my hosting server, and it applied everything and I'm sure I did it correctly as far as the links and everything is concerned but it isn't working.

I called technical support and they told me that the redirect wouldn't work because the directory doesn't technically exist.

Is this right? I'm using wordpress as my CMS and the permalink structure should be the same. Does the directory need to exist on the server in order to be redirected there? Or does the server maintain a "I don't care if it exists, I'm sending you where I've been told to send you" kind of deal?

Any help is appreciated. I think the tech support guy is wrong, but I don't have extensive knowledge in redirects and how they would work at the server level.

Thanks!

[BigSlick]

Sorry, ignore the post.

If anyone is interested, the redirect worked after I created the directory structure and filename in question.

now to just do this for all of my posts and we're gravy!

[bartoszdesign]

there are as well useful wp plugins to do it from within wp.

like for example: 301 Redirect Plugin for Wordpress … for Non-Technical Bloggers | Search Engine People | Toronto

[BigSlick]

I'll definitely check that out thanks a ton

[BigSlick]

It's too bad you let me know about this plugin after I've already done all the 301 redirects manually ... Ah well. Now I know for next time.

I'm still getting used to the idea that I can just look for plugins to do the things I'm trying to get done.

[Dellzip]

there are as well useful wp plugins to do it from within wp.

like for example: 301 Redirect Plugin for Wordpress … for Non-Technical Bloggers | Search Engine People | Toronto

I have used this one a good bit, let me see if I can find it...