Moving a website to a new platform should include a plan for its existing content and page addresses. A new design alone does not protect useful pages, incoming links or the journeys customers already rely on.
Make an inventory before the move
Record important URLs, page titles, content, images and downloadable files. Include service pages, products and forms, rather than checking only the pages shown in the main menu. Decide which content will remain, change or be removed. Where an address changes, map the old page to a relevant new destination. Sending every removed page to the homepage can leave visitors without the information they expected.
Checks before and after launch
- Confirm the important pages exist in the new site.
- Test redirects and internal links.
- Check forms, bookings and checkout journeys.
- Review indexability, canonical URLs and the sitemap.
- Monitor missing-page errors and unexpected traffic changes.
Keep a record of the migration decisions. It makes later troubleshooting easier when someone asks why an old link no longer leads to the same information.
Questions and answers
Can search positions be guaranteed during a move?
No. Careful preparation can reduce avoidable problems, but search performance can change. Review the migration against actual outcomes after launch.
Should we change all the page addresses?
Only where there is a useful reason. Preserving suitable existing URLs reduces the number of redirects and changes that need managing.
Can we redesign and rewrite everything at the same time?
It is possible, but it makes the effects harder to separate. Plan major changes carefully and preserve essential information.
What should I ask my developer for?
Ask for a content inventory, URL mapping, launch checks and a clear monitoring plan. Confirm who will address missing pages or broken customer journeys after the move.
Further reading: Google Search Central guidance on site moves.
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