Before the move
Inventory current pages, internal links and important search landing pages. Identify which pages will stay, change or be retired. Keep a recoverable backup and a clear owner for launch decisions.
Map old pages to relevant destinations
Use a one-to-one redirect when a page has an appropriate replacement. Avoid redirecting every old URL to the homepage. If content is being consolidated, preserve the information customers still need on the new destination.
Review the new site before launch
Check page titles, descriptions, headings, canonical URLs and robots instructions. Confirm that production will not inherit a staging noindex setting. Test forms, contact links, mobile layouts and important files.
At launch
Apply the redirect map, publish the correct sitemap and confirm working responses for important URLs. Check the preferred hostname and HTTPS behaviour. Remove obsolete internal links that unnecessarily send visitors through redirects.
After launch
Monitor indexing, crawl issues and key landing pages in Search Console. Review qualified enquiries and technical logs where available. Keep the redirect plan available and investigate unexpected losses before assuming they are normal.
Published October 7, 2026. Practical educational guidance; implementation depends on your website. How we prepare our resources.
