We hear such complaints quite often. The reason is simple: in addition to updating the design, the site structure was changed, new functions were added, URLs were changed, but redirects were not configured. As time passed, it became more difficult to restore lost traffic. To avoid such problems, it is important to think through all the redesign steps and their impact on SEO in advance.
If we are talking only about a visual update, then the risk for SEO is minimal. However, if during the redesign process the site structure changes, new elements are added, user paths change, or the site switches to a new CMS, then there is a real risk of losing positions in search engines.
In this article, we will look at how to redesign a website without losing SEO traffic. You will find out what points you should pay attention to, what is important to do before the redesign, and what to do during and after.
Before embarking on a redesign, it is important to make sure that it is really needed. Avoid the following reasons for change:
If your site works well, don't rush to redesign it. Instead, turn to experts to help you audit your current design, identify areas for growth, and suggest real improvements.
To avoid unexpected problems after a redesign, it is important to take several key steps ahead of time.
Before starting a redesign, it is important to record the current metrics: site visibility, average position in search engines, CTR and keywords that drive traffic. This data will help you track changes after the update.
Use tools to check the technical condition of the site to identify errors and fix them before redesign. This will help avoid new problems.
It's important to understand how users interact with your site. Study which interface elements are in demand and try to preserve the functions that users are familiar with.
Identify the pages that drive the most traffic. They should be under special control, and changes to them should be minimal.
Backups will help you avoid disasters if something goes wrong. Make copies of your entire site and database before redesigning.
With significant design changes, users may experience inconvenience. To avoid negative impacts on attendance, consider the following steps:
It is very important that all texts, meta tags, headings (title and description) and images are transferred correctly. If you miss even one element, you can lose positions in the search.
Changing the site structure may lead to changes in page addresses and their deletion. To avoid traffic loss, it is important to minimize such changes.
If pages are deleted, set up redirects to similar pages so that users do not lose access to important information.
The 404 error page should be informative and direct users to popular areas of the site so that they don't leave.
When redesigning, it is important that the site remains mobile-friendly. If this is not taken into account, you may lose mobile traffic.
It is important to get user feedback to quickly fix errors and improve the site. To do this, you can use forms on the website or services to collect feedback.
After updating your site, re-audit to look for possible problems with meta tags, duplicate pages, or other errors.
Regularly monitor site visibility, traffic, and user behavior to spot and correct potential problems early.
For any questions, you can contact the SEO studio “SEO COMPUTER” by email info@seo.computer.
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