how to redirect user from php file back to `index.html` on dreamhost

Question

I'm setting up a simple landing page on DreamHost. It won't let me put php code in the file index.html. So, when user submits an email address, I use $_POST to submit the email address to another page mail_auto.php.

After seeing a quick "email sent" message, I'd like the user to be directed back to the index.html page from mail_auto.php.

header() looks a bit complex and seems to interfere with the execution of the balance of mail_auto.php.

What's the best way to redirect the user?

header() isn't complex at all, use it like this header('Location: index.html'); — HamZa
– HamZa, Commented Mar 14, 2013 at 14:27
header("Location: index.html"); is the simplest way to redirect someone on the server side. What problems are you encountering with it? — Steven V
– Steven V, Commented Mar 14, 2013 at 14:28
@StevenVondruska , I haven't had a problem yet, but the manuel seems to suggest I have to put the header() at the beginning of the script. So, my concern is the balance of the script won't get executed. — DBWeinstein
– DBWeinstein, Commented Mar 14, 2013 at 17:09
You can put header() anywhere in the script. The trick is that you cannot send any content before you call header(). So you can't do something like echo "hello world"; header("Location: index.html"); — Steven V
– Steven V, Commented Mar 14, 2013 at 19:00

Raptor · Accepted Answer · 2013-03-14 14:28:21Z

19

To redirect user back to index.html, use the following:

header('Location: index.html');
exit;

Alternatively, if you want to display something like " Redirecting... " on screen, you can use the meta-refresh method , or JavaScript window.location method with setTimeout

The meta refresh method:

Add this to HTML <head>:

<meta http-equiv="refresh" content="2;url=index.html">

where 2 is number of seconds before the refresh is executed.

answered Mar 14, 2013 at 14:28

Raptor

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Comments

blamonet · Accepted Answer · 2013-03-14 14:29:30Z

2

Using the header is typically what I'd do.

Have you thought about using JavaScript? It's not the best way, although it would work.

<script type="text/javascript">
   <!--
   window.location = "http://www.google.com/"
   //-->
</script>

answered Mar 14, 2013 at 14:29

blamonet

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3 Comments

Raptor Over a year ago

JavaScript can be disabled by user.

blamonet Over a year ago

I agree, which is why I stated it wasn't the best way. Using php with header('Location: index.html') would be the preferred way, although the user stated it was causing interference with their code.

HamZa Over a year ago

Commenting JS code like that is for ancient browsers ...

İlker Korkut · Accepted Answer · 2013-03-14 14:28:47Z

1

Just echo this javascript code end of the process.

    <script>
      window.location.href = 'http://www.yourwebsite.com';
    </script>

answered Mar 14, 2013 at 14:28

İlker Korkut

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3 Comments

HamZa Over a year ago

What if Javascript is disabled ?

İlker Korkut Over a year ago

Daryl Gill Over a year ago

Meta refresh is a sloppy solution

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