Short answer
Permalinks are the URL structure of your posts and pages. Set them once under Settings → Permalinks, early — changing them later alters every URL on the site and needs redirects to avoid breaking existing links.
Learn more
- Settings to change straight after installing WordPressA short checklist for a new WordPress site: permalinks, site address, discussion, users, unused plugins and themes, and search engine visibility.
- Redirects with .htaccess: copy-ready examplesWorking .htaccess redirect rules for single pages, whole folders, domain changes, HTTPS and www — with notes on 301 vs 302 and avoiding loops.
- 404 Not Found: why pages are missing and how to fix itFix 404 errors after uploading or moving a site: files in the wrong folder, case-sensitive names, broken permalinks and changed URLs that need redirects.
Step-by-step
- Redirect old URLs after a redesignIntermediate · 30 min · 5 steps
Everything in this guide works on Traxio’s WordPress hosting: 30 days free, then £0.99 a month.