Much has been said about Google and other SE requiring 301 permanent redirects - the standard index.php file is:
[Note location may be different]
<?
Header( "Location: ./shop/xcart/customer/home.php" );
?>
Simply change to :
<?
Header( "HTTP/1.1 301 Moved Permanently" );
Header( "Location: ./shop/xcart/customer/home.php" );
?>
This gives the SE the correct information.
You can check whether you are returning a 301 or 302 here
http://www.searchenginepromotionhelp.com/m/http-server-response/code-checker.php
and more info / alternaive ways here :
http://www.webconfs.com/how-to-redirect-a-webpage.php
Richard
www.manicmonday.co.uk