Renewing a website is not just about changing colors and screens. Old links, service descriptions, and user-familiar paths need to be mapped to the new structure. When working with a freelance web designer, discuss the content and URL migration plan as well as the design scope.
First take inventory of the current site
Which pages exist, which service describes, and which are still necessary? The old sitemap, content moderation records, and accessible analytics data are starting resources. Just counting the pages that appear in the main menu may not be enough. Shared PDFs, images and old campaign links can also bring users to the site.
For each old address, write down the decision to keep, update, merge with the relevant page, or remove. The justification “it has no place in the new design” does not require the loss of useful content. The purpose of the content can be re-met in the new information architecture.
Map the address change to the corresponding target
Google's site migration guide recommends mapping between old and new URLs and monitoring the migration. Appropriate server redirection is applied to permanently migrated pages. Sending every old address irrelevantly to the home page is not a correct match.
For example, if there is a new equivalent of the old catalog design text, the user should access that content. If a guide has been prepared that combines the same topic, the target should really answer the old question as well. For content that has no response, the technical team must determine the appropriate response.
Make content loss visible in design file
The new page template may be shorter; This does not require deleting all comments. Make room for important questions, reduce repetition, and break long content into readable sections. Don't replace the description that meets search intent with a merely decorative slogan.
A checklist can include the purpose of the old page, the new title, the information to be protected, and the new address. This way, text, design and software teams do not make conflicting decisions on different files. The designer marks the link target; The technical functioning of the routing is also tested.
Publication control is not done only on the home page
Open old link examples, try the new menu and in-content links. The technical team should check the compatibility of page titles, canonical addresses and site map with the new structure. Ranking fluctuation is possible; No promises should be made to maintain the same position.
When planning website design with Selçuk Aker, old content inventory can be included in the design brief. Web design brief guide clarifies the scope.
Separate migration into content, data and design
Old blog texts, product information and downloadable documents are included in the content inventory; User records and transaction history belong to the technical data plan. It is not enough to take over everything with just a page screenshot. The technical team must verify the export, backup and restore method; The content controller must check the integrity of the transferred records.
Do not base the renewal requirement solely on the age of the site. Unupdatable content, broken mobile streaming, or changing service coverage could be the real reason. Post-refresh, test URLs, internal links, and file paths in release control. Instead of redirecting the old page to the irrelevant home page, determine the closest literal equivalent.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to change all URLs for the new design?
No. Addresses that continue to function can be protected. There must be a justification for the change of address and a transition plan.
Is it enough to redirect old pages to the home page?
If there is a relevant response, it makes more sense to map it to that page. The home page does not replace all content.
Will Google rankings definitely increase when the design is renewed?
No. Design, content, technical condition and competition are effective together. Access control and subsequent monitoring are separate jobs.
