Moving to a new website without losing your Google ranking

Switching to a new website doesn't have to cost you your Google ranking. The key is to keep your domain, keep your best content, and make sure old page addresses still lead somewhere. Here's the checklist.

Before you switch

1. 1Keep the same domain. Your domain carries your history with Google. Moving to a new one is the biggest ranking risk.
2. 2List your important pages. In Google Search Console, under Performance, see which pages get the most visits. Those pages need to exist on the new site.
3. 3Save your text and photos. Keep a copy of your old pages before anything is switched off.

Building the new site

• Keep the content that ranks. Rewrite and improve it, but don't throw away a page that brings in visitors.
• Keep page addresses the same where you can, e.g. /services and /contact.
• Keep your titles and descriptions for important pages, or improve them.
• Make it fast and mobile-friendly. Google ranks on the mobile version.

Switching over

1. 1Point your domain at the new site and check every important page loads.
2. 2Redirect old addresses that changed. A page that moved needs a permanent (301) redirect from its old address, so visitors and Google land in the right place instead of a "page not found".
3. 3Submit your new sitemap in Google Search Console.
4. 4Watch Search Console for a few weeks. A small dip for a week or two is normal; check the Pages report for errors.

What not to do

• Don't change domain, design and all your content at the same time if you can avoid it.
• Don't cancel your old hosting until the new site is live and checked.
• Don't delete pages that still get visits.