Website planning guide
A better-looking site should come with a clear migration plan. Use these checks when replacing a business website or moving it to a new platform.
By Herd Media · Updated November 10, 2026
Export the existing URLs, page titles, search landing pages, and important conversions. Save a crawl and sitemap before redesign work starts. Keep a copy of the current site so you can recover useful content or investigate an unexpected traffic change.
Use a simple spreadsheet with old URL, intended new URL, action, and reason. Keep a successful URL when the purpose stays the same. When a URL changes, send it directly to the closest relevant replacement with a permanent server redirect. Do not send every retired page to the homepage.
Separate services with distinct buyer needs. Connect a service to relevant project examples and the next inquiry step. Give industry pages specific features, questions, and examples. Avoid creating near-identical pages for small keyword variations.
Preserve useful information, write a distinct title and description for each main page, and check the primary heading. Confirm canonical URLs, crawlable links, image descriptions, and accurate business details. Keep previews out of search while work is unfinished.
Before switching traffic, test forms, phone links, navigation, and key pages on a phone. At launch, confirm HTTPS, the preferred hostname, permanent redirects, working destination pages, production canonicals, and intended robots settings. Update internal links to final URLs and submit the final sitemap.
Use Search Console to watch indexing and search landing pages, then compare qualified inquiries in your analytics or CRM. Investigate missing pages and redirect failures promptly. Separate traffic fluctuations from actual lead quality; a redesign does not guarantee ranking or revenue gains.
Bring your current domain, platform access, URL list, and main business goals to the first planning conversation. We can scope the design, development, and migration together.
Further reading: Google’s guidance on URL migrations and crawlable internal links.
Tell us what customers need to do, what your team needs to manage, and what your current site is missing.
Discuss your project
