Changing fom .html to .php

[OnlineMerchants]

Hi all,

I am currently changing some older html pages to include some
new features. The pages are well indexed in Google at the moment so
I don't really want to loose the positions by changing the extension to
.php

I could do a redirect 301 but although that would help i'd probably loose
the page rank.

I'm using a Linux server and wanted to try including this in a .htaccess
file:

AddType application/x-httpd-php .html

I believe doing this will allow PHP commands to be run in the .html file
as if they were in a .php file.

Has anyone used the above and had problems?? Don't want to mess up
my google position so thought i'd ask first

Thanks in advance.

Cheers

Steve

[Keith]

I use

AddHandler application/x-httpd-php .html

had no problems

[Kandevil]

Depending on how your site is set up different variants will work for you. I'll give you what I use nowadays it should work:

RemoveHandler .html .htm
AddHandler application/x-httpd-php .php .htm .html

Then you'll be fine with your pages. If it doesn't work you'll be able to see that and take it off. Just give it a try and see.

If it looks fine to you in your web browser then it will look the same to Google.

[OnlineMerchants]

Thanks guys for the prompt replies - appreciated!!

I guess you learn something new everyday - I didn't know that it could
be done this way - it certainly saves me a bit of work and am glad that
my Google position won't be effected.

Cheers

Steve