Quick answer

Inventory current URLs, map redirects one to one, preserve useful content and metadata, test canonicals and submit the updated sitemap after launch.

Protect important URLs, content and measurement when a site moves to a new design, platform or domain. Use the questions below during planning, review and approval. Do not mark an item complete without evidence.

Search data source: Google Keyword Planner, India, English, Sep 2025 to Aug 2026. These are planning estimates, not promised traffic.

Why this matters

Protect important URLs, content and measurement when a site moves to a new design, platform or domain.

Inventory current URLs, map redirects one to one, preserve useful content and metadata, test canonicals and submit the updated sitemap after launch.

Action plan

Inventory current URLs, map redirects one to one, preserve useful content and metadata, test canonicals and submit the updated sitemap after launch.

  1. Which URLs receive organic traffic? Write the answer in the brief and connect it to this outcome: Inventory current URLs, map redirects one to one, preserve useful content and metadata, test canonicals and submit the updated sitemap after launch.
  2. Is every removed URL mapped? Check the answer against this practical situation: Redirecting every old page to the home page removes context for users and search engines. Each useful old URL should point to the closest relevant new page.
  3. Who checks errors after launch? Name the owner, the evidence they must keep and the date when the decision will be reviewed.
StepDecision questionEvidence to keep
1Which URLs receive organic traffic?Inventory current URLs, map redirects one to one, preserve useful content and metadata, test canonicals and submit the updated sitemap after launch.
2Is every removed URL mapped?Redirecting every old page to the home page removes context for users and search engines. Each useful old URL should point to the closest relevant new page.
3Who checks errors after launch?Named owner, source record and review date

Worked example

Redirecting every old page to the home page removes context for users and search engines. Each useful old URL should point to the closest relevant new page.

Working checklist

  • Which URLs receive organic traffic?
  • Is every removed URL mapped?
  • Who checks errors after launch?
  • Who will take the next action on technical seo?
  • For Website Migration SEO Checklist, what result will show that the plan worked?
Best next step

Inventory current URLs, map redirects one to one, preserve useful content and metadata, test canonicals and submit the updated sitemap after launch.

Mistakes to avoid

  • Starting work before answering: Which URLs receive organic traffic?
  • Relying on an assumption instead of checking: Is every removed URL mapped?
  • Launching without a clear answer to: Who checks errors after launch?

References and further reading

For technical benchmarks, use web.dev Core Web Vitals and W3C WCAG 2.2. Internal links follow Google link best practices. Check the date, location and original source before using any number in a business decision.

Common questions

Which URLs receive organic traffic?

Inventory current URLs, map redirects one to one, preserve useful content and metadata, test canonicals and submit the updated sitemap after launch.

Is every removed URL mapped?

Redirecting every old page to the home page removes context for users and search engines. Each useful old URL should point to the closest relevant new page.

Who checks errors after launch?

Inventory current URLs, map redirects one to one, preserve useful content and metadata, test canonicals and submit the updated sitemap after launch. Keep the first test small enough to learn from, then expand only when the result is clear.

Key takeaways

The short version

  • Make the offer easy to understand on a phone.
  • Give the visitor one obvious next step.
  • Test the form, speed and tracking before sending traffic.
A simple story

Meet Arjun. Arjun runs a fitness studio in Nashik. Customers keep asking questions that the website should answer. On a phone, the contact button is hard to find. Arjun uses this guide to fix one clear path first, instead of rebuilding everything in a panic.

This is a made-up example to explain the idea. It is not a client result.

Search evidence

Check intent, page usefulness and proof

This panel is specific to Website Migration SEO Checklist.

Official referenceUse Google Search Central or web.dev for search and performance rules.
Data checkSeparate impressions, visits, enquiries and sales. They answer different questions.
Best next actionOpen the page on a phone and complete the visitor task yourself.

Reference: Google Search Central

Article scorecard

Use this for Website Migration SEO Checklist

CheckQuestionProof to keep
IntentWhat is the searcher trying to do?A plain-language intent statement
Page matchDoes this page answer that task fully?Specific answer, example and next step
ResultDid the visitor take a useful action?Enquiry or sales outcome
VisitorPageAction
Start with Visitor, move to Page, and finish with Action.

Words made simple

CTA
The button or link that tells a visitor what to do next.
Responsive
A page that fits and works well on phones, tablets and computers.
CMS
The tool used to update website text and images.
Interactive check

Run a practical search-page check

Tick only what is true today. This is a decision aid, not a performance promise.

Tick the boxes, then press the button.
Check the original guidance: Google Search Central. Platform rules and benchmarks can change, so check the date before acting.
Watch an expert

How to use internal linking for SEO

Official guidance from Google Search Central. The video is optional, and the article still works without it.

Continue with the Website Development learning hub.

Need help with Website Migration SEO Checklist?

Inventory current URLs, map redirects one to one, preserve useful content and metadata, test canonicals and submit the updated sitemap after launch.

Talk to Jodbrain