When you redesign a website, one of the most critical steps is setting up a proper redirect strategy. Without it, users and search engines may encounter broken links, leading to poor user experience and lost traffic.

Start by creating a comprehensive inventory of all existing pages on your old site. Export your crawl data from analytics platforms to map all active endpoints.

Once you have this list, map each old URL to its most relevant counterpart on the new site. Never blanket-redirect all pages to the homepage—this harms user experience and SEO.

Instead, match content based on topic, structure, and user intent. For example, if an old product page is being replaced by a new one with updated information, redirect the old URL directly to the new product page.

If a page has been permanently removed and there is no direct replacement, consider redirecting to a closely related category page or a helpful resource that addresses the same user need. Point to a supporting resource that answers the same underlying question.

Use 301 redirects for permanent changes, as they pass along most of the SEO value from the old page to the new one. Always employ 301s—not 302s—for permanent URL changes.

Test your redirects thoroughly after deployment. Check a sample of key URLs to ensure they are working correctly and not creating redirect chains or loops.

Monitor your site’s performance in analytics and طراحی سایت اصفهان search console for any spikes in 404 errors or drops in traffic. Track bounce rate and session duration changes in Google Analytics.

Finally, keep your redirect map updated and review it periodically, especially if you make further changes to your site structure. Document every change to ensure consistency across teams and campaigns.

A well planned redirect strategy preserves your SEO equity, maintains user trust, and ensures a smooth transition during and after your redesign. Proper redirection protects your domain authority while delivering a seamless experience.