A redesign changes how your website looks. A migration changes how people and search engines reach it. Planning both together helps protect the useful work your existing site has already done.
Make a record before changing anything
List your current pages and what each one does. Record the address, title, main topic, important incoming links and the action a visitor can take. Keep a copy of existing content and capture your enquiry journey from beginning to end. A small site can use a spreadsheet; the important part is having an agreed reference.
Ask the business owner which pages customers actually mention. A page with modest traffic may still answer a valuable question or support a sales conversation.
Give every old URL a decision
Keep useful URLs where possible. When an address changes, identify its closest relevant replacement. Google's migration guidance recommends preparing a URL map, implementing redirects and monitoring the move. Review the official site migration documentation with whoever manages your hosting.
Do not assume that sending every retired page to the homepage creates a good experience. Someone following a link to a particular service should arrive at that service or a genuinely relevant replacement.
Separate visual changes from content decisions
A quieter layout does not require removing useful explanations. Preserve the answers visitors need, then improve their order, headings and readability. If a paragraph is outdated, rewrite it deliberately. Keep an editorial record so the business can review significant changes before launch.
Test the paths people follow
- Open the site on a small phone and follow the main service journey.
- Check every main navigation link, contact route and download.
- Confirm images load and forms explain what happens next.
- Test old URLs against the agreed destination map.
- Review canonical URLs, sitemap entries and indexing settings on the production host.
Plan the first week after launch
Assign someone to check enquiries and error reports. Keep the previous files and a documented rollback process available. Watch for missing pages, unexpected redirect chains and changes in the types of enquiries received. Search visibility can fluctuate during a move; a redesign is not a guarantee that rankings will improve.
Our website development service starts with the business and content you already have. Bring your current website address and the three things you most want to improve.