Website redesign: SEO checks before and after launch

1. List your existing pages

Collect the current URLs and decide whether to keep, move, merge or remove each one. The sitemap, content management system and Search Console can help you build the list. Mark pages that receive visitors from search or have links from other websites. A spreadsheet can include the old URL, the page topic, the planned new URL, the work needed and whether it has been checked.

2. Redirect to the right page

If the content at /services/web.html is moving to /web-design/, a permanent redirect can take visitors to the new page. Do not automatically send every removed page to the homepage. If there is no suitable replacement, a 404 or 410 response can indicate that the content has been removed. Redirect straight to the final destination where possible.

3. Check links and language versions

Use your planned URLs to review navigation, internal links and search settings. On a bilingual site, the language switcher on a Hungarian service page should lead to the matching English service page. Hreflang annotations connect those language versions for search engines. Working through a checklist for each page makes it easier to spot anything that differs from the plan.

4. Test the live website too

Check the site after launch, even if everything worked in the test environment. Open important old URLs and make sure they lead to the intended new pages. Test a missing URL and the contact form as well. Check that published pages have not kept any noindex tags used during testing. Note the launch date and any issues you find so you can track the fixes.

5. Keep reviewing after launch

The new sitemap helps search engines find URLs, but submitting it does not guarantee indexing. Check important new addresses in Search Console and revisit any problems that prevent access. Do not judge the whole redesign on its first day of data. Review traffic from search alongside usability and the enquiries the website receives.