Updated: June 9, 2023.
Website Redesign SEO Checklist
Redesigning a website properly can be a challenging task. However, with a comprehensive website redesign SEO checklist, the process can become much easier. In this article, I will share with you over 20 SEO elements and considerations that will help you redesign your website effectively and reap the benefits. Please note that this checklist is not exhaustive, but it contains some of the best practices you should know and implement for your website redesign.
Website Redesign SEO Checklist #1: Goals
Before starting your website redesign, it’s crucial to define clear goals. Setting SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) will help you stay focused and achieve desired results. Identify Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and relevant goals for your redesign, such as increasing conversions, attracting more organic traffic, or reaching a new target audience. Additionally, consider preserving your current rankings for target keywords and ranking for new ones. Align your goals with your broader business objectives, such as expanding your consumer pool or establishing yourself as an industry leader.
Website Redesign SEO Checklist #2: Research
Research is essential to understand your competitors and target audience. Analyze your competitors’ strategies and incorporate successful themes into your redesign. Conduct generative research through user interviews and feedback to determine what your target audience wants. Additionally, conduct evaluative research, such as A/B testing, to gather quantitative insights.
Website Redesign SEO Checklist #3: Audience
While redesigning your website, consider targeting your intended audience accurately. Leverage your knowledge gained from the original website to expand your target audience, reach out to new demographics, and widen your consumer pool. However, be cautious not to rebrand your business unintentionally, as it may lead to a loss of your original consumer base.
Website Redesign SEO Checklist #4: Rankings & Google Updates
If your website is not ranking well on search engine results pages (SERPs), a redesign can help improve your rankings. Stay updated with Google’s ranking factors and algorithm updates, such as the page experience update and Core Web Vitals. Optimize your website for new trends, like voice-based queries, and consider incorporating conversational AI for better visitor engagement.
Website Redesign SEO Checklist #5: Keyword Research And Mapping
During your website redesign, update your keyword map and research new keywords to target. Add new keywords based on new services/products and aim to rank for authoritative, less contested topics to boost your website’s overall traffic and credibility. Utilize keyword research tools like Ahrefs Keywords Explorer, Google Keyword Planner, AnswerThePublic, and Semrush Keyword Magic Tool.
Website Redesign SEO Checklist #6: Analyze & Benchmark Current Site
Analyze and benchmark your current website to identify areas for improvement. Utilize tools like Google Analytics and Google Search Console to assess your site’s performance, organic traffic, crawl data, indexation, and identify any issues like duplicate pages or unoptimized titles. Conduct a comprehensive link audit using tools like Semrush Link Audit.
Website Redesign SEO Checklist #7: Find High-Ranking And Low-Performing Content
Identify the web pages on your current website that rank high and perform well. Retain content and URLs that have high rankings or valuable inbound links. Prune your website by removing irrelevant or low-performing content. Use tools like Google Analytics, Google Search Console, Semrush, and Ahrefs to determine the best and worst-performing URLs on your site.
Website Redesign SEO Checklist #8: Backlinks
Take inventory of your inbound links and consider them when pruning your website. Keep pages with valuable inbound links to avoid a drop in rankings. If you plan to shift your domain, create a comprehensive list of backlinks and redirect them to the new URLs. Tools like Google Search Console, Ahrefs, and Semrush can help you analyze and monitor your backlinks.
Website Redesign SEO Checklist #9: Hide The Staging Site
Create a test site that is not accessible to search engine crawlers or users to avoid premature indexing of incomplete content. Utilize staging environments offered by hosting providers, add no-index meta tags, or password-protect the test website. Consider displaying an under-construction message using plugins like Under Construction for WordPress.
Website Redesign SEO Checklist #10: URL Addresses
Avoid changing URLs unless necessary, as it can negatively impact your SEO. Keep your URLs intact to make it easier for search engine crawlers to index your redesigned website. Use site crawlers like Sitebulb or Screaming Frog SEO Spider to compare old and new URLs.
Website Redesign SEO Checklist #11: 301 Redirects
When redesigning your website, set up 301 redirects for pages that need to be redirected. Redirect pages with backlinks and traffic to maintain SEO value. Ensure HTTP versions redirect to HTTPS versions. Test and validate the redirects using crawlers like Screaming Frog or Sitebulb.
Website Redesign SEO Checklist #12: 404 Pages
For web pages you remove, create custom 404 pages that provide helpful resources or redirect users to relevant content. Crawl your site to identify 404 pages and set up proper redirects if necessary. Ensure there are no unintentional 404 pages caused by low-quality or duplicate content.
Website Redesign SEO Checklist #13: UX Considerations
A website redesign should improve user experience (UX). Research your target market and design the new site to cater to your current audience. Ensure your redesigned site offers something for each user segment or consumer persona. Focus on the home page and its effectiveness in directing traffic to relevant resources. Maintain a consistent brand image to retain user loyalty.
Website Redesign SEO Checklist #14: UI & Accessibility Considerations
Improve your user interface (UI) during the redesign process. Ensure your website is clear, consistent, and accessible. Seek evolution rather than radical change to provide familiarity to users. Incorporate user feedback to fix negative elements while exploring new UI trends. Pay attention to accessibility and use tools like Lighthouse to check for compliance.
Website Redesign SEO Checklist #15: Mobile-Friendly
Make sure your redesigned website is mobile-friendly. With the rise of mobile internet usage, it is essential to provide a seamless experience on mobile devices. Check if your site is mobile-friendly using tools like Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test. Eliminate intrusive interstitials that block content on mobile screens.
Website Redesign SEO Checklist #16: Website Structure
Consider your website structure to improve crawling and user experience. Organize your content, products, and services in a logical and user-friendly manner. Use site crawlers like Screaming Frog or Sitebulb to analyze your site structure and ensure it is user-friendly and easily understood by search engine crawlers.
Website Redesign SEO Checklist #17: XML Sitemap
Update your XML sitemap to inform search engine crawlers about your redesigned website. Include target URLs and images in the sitemap. Keep the sitemap up-to-date and submit it through Google Search Console.
Website Redesign SEO Checklist #18: Robots.txt
Review and optimize your robots.txt file to guide search engine crawlers. Ensure it indicates the correct URL of the sitemap, blocks unnecessary resources, and doesn’t accidentally block important web pages or the entire website. Validate your robots.txt file using Google’s robots.txt tester.
Website Redesign SEO Checklist #19: Monitoring
Develop a monitoring strategy to assess the performance of your redesigned website. Use tools like Google Search Console, Google Analytics, Semrush, and Ahrefs to track your site’s search performance, audience, and visibility.
Website Redesign SEO Checklist #20: Backups
Create a backup of your original website before the redesign. This ensures you have a copy of the original site and its crawling reports. Utilize backup options offered by hosting providers or backup plugins like UpdraftPlus for WordPress.
Bonus: SEO Audit Of A New Site
Take advantage of the website redesign to conduct an in-depth SEO audit of your new site. If you lack time or resources, consider hiring an SEO professional or utilizing tools like Sitebulb for a quick audit. Perform the audit before the site goes live and indexation begins.
Remember to follow this comprehensive website redesign SEO checklist to preserve your rankings, improve user experience, and achieve your goals. For more SEO services and information, visit Tranxuanhung.
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