Search engine rankings can drop during site migration or redesign, but you can minimize the impact by following these essential practices:

Track Your URLs Before Migration

• Create a spreadsheet listing all current URLs while your old site is still online
• Map old URLs to their new destinations on your new site
• This helps identify changes in URL structure that need attention

Keep Your Domain Name Consistent

• Maintain your existing domain if possible
• Transfer the domain to your new platform or use domain mapping
• Consistent domain names help preserve SEO value and user experience

Match URL Slugs Where Possible

• Maintain the same URL structure for key pages
• Example: Keep "yourdomain.com/about" instead of changing to "yourdomain.com/about-us"
• Update URL slugs in your page settings as needed

Implement 301 Redirects

• Set up permanent redirects from old URLs to new ones
• Especially important for blog posts and other content with different URL structures
• This helps preserve link equity and prevents 404 errors

Create a Custom 404 Page

• Design an informative error page that guides visitors
• Include navigation options to help users find content
• Mention recent platform changes if relevant

Use Search Console Tools

• Submit your new site to Google Search Console and Bing Webmaster Tools
• Request indexing of your new pages
• Monitor for crawl errors and fix them promptly

These practices help maintain your search visibility during migration while ensuring users can still find your content. Regular monitoring and quick problem-solving are essential for a successful transition.

Remember to continue following SEO best practices after migration to maintain and improve your search rankings over time.

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