Migrating a Website Without Losing Traffic: A Step-by-Step Plan and Checklist
Опубліковано: 2026-01-02 22:00:44
Introduction
Moving your website to a new domain, CMS, or hosting provider can be a daunting task. You've probably heard the horror stories of lost rankings, broken links, and plummeting traffic. But it doesn't have to be that way. With the right plan and tools, you can migrate your site smoothly and even improve its performance. In this article, we'll guide you through the process, step by step, from planning to testing.
1. Plan ahead
Before starting, make sure you have a clear reason for the migration. Are you improving security, reducing costs, or expanding your business? Are you merging with another company? Whatever the case, decide on the new URL structure, and communicate it to your team and clients. Choose a launch date and test the new site internally. Set up a 301 redirect map, and backup your data.
2. Analyze your current SEO
Use Google Search Console and Google Analytics to see which pages drive the most traffic and conversions. Check your top keywords, backlinks, and internal links. Also, check your sitemap and robots.txt file. If you have a large site, use a crawler to scan it and find broken links.
3. Redirects: 301 vs. 302 vs. Canonicals
301 redirects permanently move a page to a new URL. Use them for pages with the same content, while 302 are temporary. Canonicals tell search engines which page is the original. Use them for duplicates or similar content.
4. Update your XML sitemap
In Yoast SEO, go to SEO > XML Sitemaps > XML Sitemap Features > Enable XML Sitemap. Then, in Search Appearance > XML Sitemaps > Custom URL, add your sitemap's location. Submit it in Google Search Console > Sitemaps.
5. Update internal links
Replace hardcoded URLs in your HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Use search and replace to update your CMS. Also, update your robots.txt and .htaccess files.
6. Update your Google Search Console settings
Add your new site and verify it. Submit your sitemap and request indexing. Set your preferred domain and change your address.
7. Tell Google about the move
Go to Settings > Change of Address. Enter your old and new URLs and choose 'Migrate with redirects'. Follow the instructions.
8. Notify your backlinks
Contact webmasters and ask for updated links. Use Google's Search Console to find them and send emails.
9. Test your redirects
Use Google's URL Inspection tool to check redirects. Check for crawl errors and broken links.
10. Check your robots.txt
Make sure it's accessible, and remove unnecessary disallow rules.
11. Test your site speed
Use Google's PageSpeed Insights and GTmetrix. Optimize images, CSS, and JavaScript. Enable browser caching.
12. Monitor your rankings
Use Google Analytics and Search Console to see how you rank. Keep an eye on organic search traffic.
13. Monitor your backlinks
Use Ahrefs or Moz to see if your links are still valid. Reach out to broken ones.
14. Check your rankings
Use Google's Search Analytics to see your positions. Use SEMrush to see if your rankings drop.
15. Update your Google My Business
Make sure your address, phone, and hours are up-to-date.
Test your SSL certificate
Use SSL Checker to ensure it's valid.
Test your forms and emails
Check your forms and email addresses.
Test your Google Analytics
Make sure it's tracking your new site.
Test your Google Ads
Use the Campaigns tab to pause and transfer campaigns.
Update your Google Tag Manager
Replace your container code.
Replace your container ID.
Test your social media
Check your profiles and cover photo.
Test your email marketing
Update your email signature.
Test your SEO plugins
Check your SEO plugins' settings.
Make sure it's valid.
Test your CMS
Update your CMS and plugins.
Test your CMS's support
Check for updates and compatibility.
Test your site's design
Ensure it's responsive and mobile-friendly.
Test your content
Check your text, images, and headings.
Test your site's accessibility
Use Google's Mobile-Friendly Test.
Conclusion
A website migration can be a complex process, but with these tips, you'll be prepared. Follow this checklist, and you'll minimize the risks. Remember, SEO is a long-term game, so keep monitoring your site's performance.
Stay updated on
Moving your website to a new domain, CMS, or hosting provider can be a daunting task. You've probably heard the horror stories of lost rankings, broken links, and plummeting traffic. But it doesn't have to be that way. With the right plan and tools, you can migrate your site smoothly and even improve its performance. In this article, we'll guide you through the process, step by step, from planning to testing.
1. Plan ahead
Before starting, make sure you have a clear reason for the migration. Are you improving security, reducing costs, or expanding your business? Are you merging with another company? Whatever the case, decide on the new URL structure, and communicate it to your team and clients. Choose a launch date and test the new site internally. Set up a 301 redirect map, and backup your data.
2. Analyze your current SEO
Use Google Search Console and Google Analytics to see which pages drive the most traffic and conversions. Check your top keywords, backlinks, and internal links. Also, check your sitemap and robots.txt file. If you have a large site, use a crawler to scan it and find broken links.
3. Redirects: 301 vs. 302 vs. Canonicals
301 redirects permanently move a page to a new URL. Use them for pages with the same content, while 302 are temporary. Canonicals tell search engines which page is the original. Use them for duplicates or similar content.
4. Update your XML sitemap
In Yoast SEO, go to SEO > XML Sitemaps > XML Sitemap Features > Enable XML Sitemap. Then, in Search Appearance > XML Sitemaps > Custom URL, add your sitemap's location. Submit it in Google Search Console > Sitemaps.
5. Update internal links
Replace hardcoded URLs in your HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Use search and replace to update your CMS. Also, update your robots.txt and .htaccess files.
6. Update your Google Search Console settings
Add your new site and verify it. Submit your sitemap and request indexing. Set your preferred domain and change your address.
7. Tell Google about the move
Go to Settings > Change of Address. Enter your old and new URLs and choose 'Migrate with redirects'. Follow the instructions.
8. Notify your backlinks
Contact webmasters and ask for updated links. Use Google's Search Console to find them and send emails.
9. Test your redirects
Use Google's URL Inspection tool to check redirects. Check for crawl errors and broken links.
10. Check your robots.txt
Make sure it's accessible, and remove unnecessary disallow rules.
11. Test your site speed
Use Google's PageSpeed Insights and GTmetrix. Optimize images, CSS, and JavaScript. Enable browser caching.
12. Monitor your rankings
Use Google Analytics and Search Console to see how you rank. Keep an eye on organic search traffic.
13. Monitor your backlinks
Use Ahrefs or Moz to see if your links are still valid. Reach out to broken ones.
14. Check your rankings
Use Google's Search Analytics to see your positions. Use SEMrush to see if your rankings drop.
15. Update your Google My Business
Make sure your address, phone, and hours are up-to-date.
Test your SSL certificate
Use SSL Checker to ensure it's valid.
Test your forms and emails
Check your forms and email addresses.
Test your Google Analytics
Make sure it's tracking your new site.
Test your Google Ads
Use the Campaigns tab to pause and transfer campaigns.
Update your Google Tag Manager
Replace your container code.
Replace your container ID.
Test your social media
Check your profiles and cover photo.
Test your email marketing
Update your email signature.
Test your SEO plugins
Check your SEO plugins' settings.
Make sure it's valid.
Test your CMS
Update your CMS and plugins.
Test your CMS's support
Check for updates and compatibility.
Test your site's design
Ensure it's responsive and mobile-friendly.
Test your content
Check your text, images, and headings.
Test your site's accessibility
Use Google's Mobile-Friendly Test.
Conclusion
A website migration can be a complex process, but with these tips, you'll be prepared. Follow this checklist, and you'll minimize the risks. Remember, SEO is a long-term game, so keep monitoring your site's performance.
Stay updated on
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