Back to CMS basics

Guidance notes

Here are some written instructions on adding alternative URLs to pages.  You may want to do this for two main reasons:

  • You are building a new website, and want to ensure that users who may have book marked old links (or visit via their history) reach the page they are looking for.  Your site map may have changed, which means the URL (page path) is no longer the same.  Adding an alternative URL avoids users reaching "Page Not Found" where a link is broken.  Essentially, it will redirect the user to the new path.
  • You want to use a shortened, friendly url - for example to send in an email, or use on a publication

You can expand the screenshots by clicking on them. Tips are given in italics. 

These notes assume you are already logged into the CMS.

Adding an alternative URL

  • Visit the page that you want the user visit
  • Click 'Page Settings' from the menu on the top left hand side (on older sites it will be called 'Composer/Page Settings'
  • Click 'Location' from menu on the left
  • Click 'Add url'
  • In the box that appears, add the original path, or shortened path without the domain
  • Click 'Save Changes'
  • The changes are now live, you do not need to publish the page.  

Example 1

  • The original path was www.franktrust.nhs.uk/patients/general-information 
  • The new page is now www.franktrust.nhs.uk/patients-visitors/
  • You would add /patients/general-information  to the box (see screen shot below)

Example 2

  • You want users to visit www.franktrust.nhs.uk/about-us/get-involved
  • But you want to print franktrust.nhs.uk/get-involved on to a leaflet
  • You would add /get-involved to the box