Do you want to learn how to delete pages in WordPress? Stay with us until the end to find out.
WordPress is a powerful platform for creating websites, and pages can be easily managed using the WordPress dashboard.
However, there may be a time when you need to delete a page for one or more reasons.
Hence, this article will guide you through the steps to delete a WordPress page and redirect it to stop the 404 error.
But first, let’s find out why you need to delete WordPress pages.
Why You Might Want to Delete Your Pages in WordPress?
WordPress is an amazing Content Management System (CMS) that has made creating and displaying content way too easy! It’s also simple to wipe unwanted content off the web.
There can be several reasons for one to delete WordPress blog or page, which we’ve listed below:
- If the content on the page becomes outdated or irrelevant
- When two or more pages have similar content
- To reorganize the website’s layout
- To improve the website’s performance
- To simplify the user experience by merging contents
- Deleting a page containing sensitive information is better for the website’s security
These are the reasons why you should delete your page in WordPress. Now, without further delay, let’s start our guide on how to delete pages in WordPress.
You can also explore our article on creating a one-page website in WordPress.
How to Delete Pages in WordPress? (Step-by-Step)
Deleting a page in WordPress is easy. There are mainly two ways to delete the pages in WordPress, which we have discussed below. Follow these simple steps, and you’ll be good to go:
Method I: Deleting from the ‘Pages’ Menu on the WordPress Dashboard
The first straightforward method to delete pages on WordPress is to delete them directly from the Pages menu on your WordPress dashboard.
To do this, visit the admin panel and navigate to Pages >> All Pages. Next, hover over the page you want to delete and click on Trash to delete the page.
To permanently delete the page, click on the Trash link at the top. Next, click on Delete Permanently to delete it from your WordPress website and Trash folder.
You may also copy the page by clicking the Copy button. This creates a replica of the page that will be saved as a Draft. Clicking on the Restore button restores the page.
Deleting Multiple Pages at Once
Similarly, you can also delete multiple pages at once. To do so, click on the Bulk action; now, select Move to Trash from the drop-down menu.
By doing so, you can select multiple pages at once. So, choose the pages you want to delete and click on Apply. You can also select all the pages by checking the Title box.
Again, you can use the previous method to delete multiple pages permanently.
Method II: Delete WordPress Pages from the Page Editor
Now, the second option you can use to delete a WordPress blog is from the WordPress page editor.
Go to Pages >> All Pages and Edit the page you want to delete.
It’ll take you to your WordPress editor. Under the Page tab on the right side of your screen, you’ll see a huge red Move to Trash button. Tap the button.
To permanently delete the page you just trashed, you can follow the same method we followed before.
That’s it; these are the two effortless methods to delete WordPress pages. It’s easy, isn’t it?
How to Delete a WordPress Blog Post?
For our fellow bloggers, we’re sure you may have been creating blogs on WordPress. But have you wondered about a way to delete WordPress blog posts?
Well, you can delete WordPress blog posts like you deleted WordPress pages. If you’re confused, pages and posts are two different things.
You can read the difference between them in our WordPress Pages vs. Posts article.
Go to Posts >> All Posts and follow the same steps as we did while learning how to delete a page on WordPress.
Meanwhile, you can follow any method and delete the blog post. Similarly, you can also delete multiple blog posts through Bulk actions.
Take a look at our top picks for WordPress blog plugins and themes if you have some time on your hands.
Redirect Deleted URLs to Stop 404 Errors
Like we said before, even after permanently deleting your pages, links to those pages might still be available elsewhere on your site.
This can lead to a 404 error. To prevent this, you should always redirect deleted URLs.
There are several ways to redirect deleted URLs to stop 404 errors. Here, we’ve listed three of them:
1. Using Rank Math SEO
If you’re using Rank Math SEO to optimize your content, the good news is that you don’t require an additional redirection plugin.
Rank Math also offers a simple and easy way to redirect your URL. Hence, you don’t need another plugin.
Plus, it’s one of the best SEO plugins for WordPress. It’ll surely help you boost your site’s ranking on search engines.
First of all, log in to your WordPress dashboard. Then, go to the Rank Math Dashboard.
Now, various modules will appear on your screen. All you need to do is search for Redirection and enable it. Right after doing this, the Redirections option will appear in your Rank Math dashboard. Click on it.
Next, tap on Add New Redirection to create a new redirect.
Here, you’ll see different fields, which are listed below:
- Source URLs: Enter a URL you want to redirect.
- Destination URL: Add a target URL to which you want to redirect.
- Redirection Type: Select a redirection type according to your needs, such as 301 Permanent Move, 302 Temporary Move, or 307 Temporary Redirect.
- Maintenance Code: Depending on your content, select either of the options when you don’t have any content to redirect users to.
- Status: Select between ‘Activate‘ and ‘Deactivate.’
Finally, click on the Add Redirection button. The redirect will now be in effect, directing visitors from the source URL to the target URL.
2. Using Yoast SEO
You can also redirect your URL if you’re using Yoast SEO to optimize your content.
However, to proceed with the process, you must get the premium version of Yoast SEO. Check out their documentation to seamlessly redirect your pages/posts.
Wondering what the term SEO is? Our article on it will help you know its basics.
3. Using the Redirection Plugin
Another way to redirect deleted URLs to stop 404 errors is by using the Redirection plugin.
Install and activate the plugin on your dashboard.
After successfully installing and activating the Redirection plugin, navigate to the Tools tab on your dashboard. Here, you’ll see different options, including ‘Redirection.’ Click on it.
Next, you’ll be given a guide and asked a few questions. After that, Redirection will set up your database. You can either click on Start Setup or Manual Setup to continue the process.
Carefully read the instructions and set up the plugin.
After setting up the plugin, you can add new redirections by pressing the Add New button at the top. Alternatively, you can directly add a new redirect by filling in all the similar areas, like in the Rank Math SEO.
Here, you’ll see the following options:
- Source URL: Enter the URL you want to redirect.
- Query Parameters: This option helps you set criteria for redirecting an incoming URL request. Choose the option from the drop-down that best suits your requirements.
- Target URL: Enter the new URL to which you want to redirect.
- Group: Select between ‘Redirections‘ and ‘Modified’ posts.
Finally, click on the Add Redirect button to save the redirect.
Wrapping Up With How To Delete Pages In WordPress!
Finally, that’s a wrap for our guide on how to delete pages in WordPress without making 404 errors. We also covered how to delete WordPress blog posts in this article, which might be helpful to you.
We’ve mentioned various methods to delete and redirect your pages and posts. So, choose from any of the methods you feel are favorable for you.
We’re positive that you could follow along and understand our provided details.
Please check out our other articles, like how to delete a theme in WordPress, which might also be helpful. You can also read more WordPress-related content on our blog.
If you need support, you can reach out to us through our social media. We’re available on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter).
