How to Javascript forward url

Published On - December 9, 2025

Emily Harris

When building interactive websites and web applications, one of the most common actions you’ll need to perform is redirecting or forwarding a user from one URL to another. This seemingly simple task can carry a lot of functionality with it — whether it’s guiding a user after form submission, managing outdated or broken links, or simply routing traffic logically across pages using JavaScript.

TLDR: You can forward URLs in JavaScript using methods such as location.href, location.replace(), and window.location.assign(). Each has its own use case depending on whether you want navigation to be recorded in the browser history or not. Redirects can be immediate or delayed, providing flexibility to developers creating client-side transitions. Understanding each method helps in building better user experiences and managing content flow effectively.

What Does “Forwarding a URL” Mean in JavaScript?

In simple terms, forwarding a URL means sending the user to a different page or application route. Using JavaScript, this can be done entirely on the client-side, meaning you don’t need a server request for the redirect. This is especially useful for:

  • Routing after a form submission to a “Thank You” page
  • Redirecting a user after authentication
  • Moving users from deprecated URLs to their updated versions
  • Providing dynamic, condition-based navigation flows

Basic Methods for URL Forwarding in JavaScript

There are a few main approaches to redirect a user using JavaScript. Here’s a breakdown of the most commonly used methods:

1. window.location.href

This method sets the browser’s URL to the new location, creating an entry in the session history. In other words, the user can click the “Back” button to return to the original page.

window.location.href = "https://www.example.com";

Use this when you want the redirect to be user-visible and reversible via the back button.

2. window.location.replace()

This also changes the current URL, but does not add an entry to the browser’s history. It replaces the current page in history, meaning users cannot go “back” to it.

window.location.replace("https://www.example.com");

Use this when you want a seamless redirect that feels like a forced navigation.

3. window.location.assign()

This behaves similarly to href in that it adds an entry to the history stack:

window.location.assign("https://www.example.com");

This is great when you want to load a new URL and allow the user to navigate back.

Redirecting After a Time Delay

Sometimes it’s helpful to delay a redirect — for example, to show a confirmation message before moving the user forward. You can do this using the setTimeout() function:


setTimeout(function() {
  window.location.href = "https://www.example.com";
}, 3000); // Redirects after 3 seconds

This enhances user experience by giving time to read messages or view transitions before being redirected.

Conditional URL Forwarding

You can also use JavaScript logic to redirect based on certain conditions like device type, user status, or query parameters. For example:


if (window.location.search.includes("mobile=true")) {
  window.location.href = "https://m.example.com";
}

This allows for highly customized user journeys based on their context or behavior.

Using Anchor Tags with JavaScript OnClick For Navigation

If you’re looking for navigation that feels more like interaction rather than an auto-redirect, you can use HTML elements with JavaScript:


<a href="#" onclick="window.location.href='https://www.example.com'; return false;">Click to Go</a>

This combines semantic HTML with JavaScript, particularly useful in SPA (Single Page Application) scenarios where routing becomes dynamic.

Best Practices for JavaScript URL Redirection

While it’s easy to insert a redirect snippet, there are a few best practices to follow for cleaner and more maintainable code:

  • Always use full URLs unless you’re linking within the same domain.
  • Don’t rely on JS redirects alone for critical redirects — use server-side backups.
  • Use replace() if you don’t want the user to navigate back to the page.
  • Avoid infinite redirect loops by adding proper condition checks.
  • Log redirects in analytics to monitor user flow and potential issues.
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Using JavaScript Redirect in SPA Frameworks

Modern single-page application frameworks like React, Angular, and Vue.js offer their own routing libraries. While raw JavaScript still works, the preferred method for redirects in SPAs usually involves route manipulation through framework-specific tools.

React (React Router Example)


import { useNavigate } from "react-router-dom";

function RedirectButton() {
  let navigate = useNavigate();

  function handleClick() {
    navigate("/target-page");
  }

  return <button onClick={handleClick}>Go</button>;
}

Vue.js


// Inside a Vue component
this.$router.push("/target-page");

In these modern frameworks, JavaScript forwarding is intrinsic to the routing system. This ensures smoother transitions without reloading the entire page.

Error Handling During Redirection

Generally, JavaScript redirects do not throw errors unless there’s a user or browser block on navigation (e.g., pop-up blockers misconstruing your redirect). To be cautious, you can wrap redirects in try-catch blocks:


try {
  window.location.href = "https://www.example.com";
} catch (error) {
  console.error("Redirect failed:", error);
}

This is particularly useful if your script is running under complex environments where multiple permissions or CSPs (Content Security Policies) are at play.

URL Forwarding on Page Load

In situations where you want to immediately forward a user as the page loads, you can use:


window.onload = function() {
  window.location.href = "https://www.example.com";
};

One use case is as a fallback for outdated pages or deprecated front-end routes.

Conclusion

Forwarding a URL with JavaScript is both simple and powerful. Whether it’s an automatic jump via location.href, a historical replacement through location.replace(), or a delay-based UX solution using setTimeout(), there’s a redirect method to suit every situation.

Make sure to understand their differences, especially in how they interact with browser history and user experience. And always validate that your redirects align with your content strategy, SEO practices, and user navigation flow.

With a strong grasp of JavaScript’s redirection capabilities, you’ll ensure both usability and performance in your web applications.