Preserving your SEO rankings during a website migration or redesign requires careful planning and execution. Here's a comprehensive guide to maintain your search visibility:

Document Current URLs

Create a spreadsheet to catalog your existing URL structure while your old site is still active. Include:

• Current page URLs
• New Squarespace URLs (to be filled later)
• Redirect mapping information

Domain Management

Keep your existing domain name whenever possible to maintain search authority. You can either:

• Transfer the domain to Squarespace
• Use domain mapping to connect an external domain
• Register a new domain through Squarespace (free for the first year with annual plans)

URL Structure Preservation

Match your old URL slugs in Squarespace to maintain existing backlinks. For example:

• Old: yourdomain.com/about
• New: Keep it as yourdomain.com/about
• Avoid: yourdomain.com/who-we-are

Implement 301 Redirects

Set up 301 redirects to handle URL structure changes:

• Map old URLs to their new counterparts
• Ensure redirects work properly for all content types
• Pay special attention to blog posts and dynamic content

Custom 404 Page

Create a custom 404 error page that:

• Informs visitors about the platform switch
• Provides navigation assistance
• Helps users find relevant content

Search Engine Reindexing

After migration, use search tools to maintain visibility:

1. Submit your new sitemap to Google Search Console
2. Request reindexing of your site
3. Monitor for crawl errors
4. Use Bing Webmaster Tools for comprehensive coverage

Regularly monitor your search rankings and traffic patterns after migration to quickly address any issues that arise.

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