Sunset beta URL

[scottqueen-bixal]

Without creating a redirect (heavy lift) we're seeing a healthy dose of traffic going to benefits-tool-beta.usa.gov instead of benefits-tool.usa.gov as intended.

We should de-index the beta URL and monitor the traffic change from beta to non-beta pages, then sunset the beta URL once the traffic has crossed an acceptable threshold (>50%?)

[EnriqueOrt]

@nickpistone could you provide some next steps on this to get the ball rolling?

[nickpistone]

This link explains how to set up the no index tag. This should get our organic traffic to move over to the non-beta version. Since organic and direct are our main channels, this should resolve the majority of it. One caveat, however is that if another site is linking to the beta URL or if someone has it bookmarked, we won't be able to address that without a redirect. After we no-index, we will be able to see a more accurate picture of how many people that might affect. Right now, it doesn't seem like it would be a large portion.

[EnriqueOrt]

The best solution may be to simply remove the re-direct to redirect traffic. Request needs to be made to GSA TTS pages.

[scottqueen-bixal]

@nickpistone we don't have a separate site for the beta content - it is just a DNS redirect. If we included a no index tag it would apply that logic to the current content.

[erniedeeb]

Pending domain & slug update

[erniedeeb]

This should be handled as part of the move to usa.gov. We can close the beta url and create a redirect from benefit-tool.usa.gov to usa.gov/[benefits/benefit-finder](final URL tbd)

[EnriqueOrt]

No urgency at this time - will revisit after MVP release