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+# Using Netlify for Dynamic URL Redirects
+
+2021-12-03
+
+With the [recent domain switch](/minor-website-changes/) that took place on this website, I needed to have a dependable setup to forward my old domain URLs to the new one. While using something like "URL forwarding" through your domain provider could work, it doesn't natively support *dynamic* linking. Let me explain using a basic example:
+
+- A user clicks on a link that targets a post on your old domain:<br> `olddomain.com/random-post`
+- You want that link to forward using the same permalink structure:<br> `newdomain.com/random-post`
+- "URL forwarding" through your domain provider **does not** support this
+
+Simple stuff. So, let's breakdown how to easily set this up on Netlify *for free*.
+
+## Setting Up Netlify
+
+- Create an account (or login to an existing one) and setup a new site[^1]
+- Change your "old" domain name nameservers to match Netlify's (normally done through your domain register)
+  - `dns1.p03.nsone.net`
+  - `dns2.p03.nsone.net`
+  - `dns3.p03.nsone.net`
+  - `dns4.p03.nsone.net`
+- Back in Netlify: under **Domain Settings** you need to add your custom "old" domain under the **Custom domains** section under **Domain management**
+- Lastly, add the following content inside a `_redirects` file (no extension) to your website content/build (changing to your own domains, of course)
+
+
+    https://olddomain.com/* https://newdomain.com/:splat 301!
+
+
+That's it! Now Netlify will dynamically forward all your pre-existing URLs from your old domain to the new one. No pesky `.htaccess` files or running your own basic web server(s)!
+
+Hopefully this helps others trying to dynamically redirect their domains without the headache.
+
+## Refs
+
+1. I normally set this up through Github / git hosting