Redesigning a website is an exciting opportunity to improve its look, functionality, and user experience. However, if not done correctly, it can negatively impact your search engine rankings. Many businesses make critical SEO mistakes during a website revamp, leading to traffic loss and lower visibility. Here are seven common SEO issues to avoid during a website redesign:
1. Ignoring 301 Redirects
One of the biggest mistakes is failing to set up proper 301 redirects for old URLs. If a page URL changes without a redirect, search engines and users will encounter links, leading to a drop in rankings and user experience issues. Always map old URLs to their new counterparts.
2. Not Preserving High-Performing Pages
Some pages may be performing well in search rankings, driving significant traffic. During a redesign, these pages may get deleted or altered without considering their SEO value. Conduct an audit before the redesign and ensure important pages are retained or properly redirected.
3. Overlooking Mobile Optimization
With Google prioritizing mobile-first indexing, having a mobile-friendly design is crucial. If the new design isn’t responsive, or if the user experience on mobile is poor, rankings can suffer. Always test mobile performance and usability.
4. Forgetting to Update Internal Links
If URLs change, internal links must be updated accordingly. Broken or outdated links can lead to poor navigation, harming both user experience and SEO. Use an internal linking strategy to ensure all pages are correctly interlinked.
5. Not Implementing an SEO Audit Before and After the Redesign
Skipping an SEO audit before launching the redesigned website can lead to unnoticed issues. Conduct a pre-launch and post-launch audit to identify and fix problems such as broken links, missing metadata, and duplicate content.
6. Neglecting On-Page SEO Elements
Meta titles, descriptions, heading tags, and alt text are crucial for search rankings. Ensure all pages maintain proper on-page SEO elements and that new pages are optimized from the start.
7. Failing to Monitor Website Performance Post-Launch
After launching the redesigned site, it’s essential to monitor rankings, traffic, and crawl errors. Tools like Google Search Console and Google Analytics can help track performance and identify any issues that need immediate attention.
Final Thoughts
A website redesign should enhance user experience while preserving SEO value. By avoiding these common mistakes, you can ensure a smooth transition without losing rankings or traffic. Always prioritize SEO from the planning stage to post-launch monitoring for a successful website redesign.