A redesign should bring in more customers, not fewer. But I’ve seen new sites launch looking great and lose half their Google traffic within weeks. It’s almost always avoidable. Follow these seven rules.
1. Check What’s Working Before You Touch Anything
Open Google Search Console and note which pages bring visitors from Google. Those pages are your money-makers, so protect them. Redesign how they look, but don’t casually rewrite or delete them.
2. Keep Your URLs the Same
Google and other websites have learned your page addresses. If /services becomes /what-we-do, you’ve thrown that history away. Change a URL only when you have a strong reason.
3. Set Up 301 Redirects for Anything That Moves
If a URL must change, redirect the old one to the closest matching new page, not just the homepage. A 301 redirect tells Google where the page went and passes most of its value along. Test your redirects before launch.
4. Fix the Homepage Headline First
If a stranger can’t tell what you do and who it’s for within a few seconds, a new design won’t save you. Rewrite the headline to say exactly that, with one specific detail like a location, a number, or a timeframe.
5. Design for the Phone First
Most visitors will see your site on a phone. Check that text is readable, buttons are easy to tap, and your contact button is visible without scrolling. Then scale up to desktop.
6. Give Every Page One Clear Next Step
Each important page needs one obvious action, such as “Book a call” or “Get a quote.” Three competing buttons mean none gets clicked.
7. Check Indexing Settings Before Launch
Staging sites are usually hidden from Google. On launch day, make sure WordPress’s “Discourage search engines from indexing this site” box is unchecked, then submit your sitemap in Search Console. This one mistake can quietly wipe out a site’s traffic.
Quick Launch Checklist
- Redirects tested
- Indexing allowed
- Forms and tracking working
- Sitemap submitted
- Mobile checked
- Search Console monitored daily for two weeks
Final Thought
A good redesign protects what works, fixes what doesn’t, and never launches without a redirect plan. Planning a redesign? Get in touch and I’ll review your current site and tell you what to keep, fix, and change.