Website redesign
A new visual system, content structure or conversion journey - without leaving your existing organic visibility to chance.
Redesign, replatform & domain-move SEO
Move your website without moving backwards in search.
SEO migration planning manages search-related risks when a website changes platform, structure or domain. It is for UK businesses. Think SEO maps existing URLs, plans redirects and checks indexing signals before and after the move.
SEO website migration planning that protects valuable URLs, content and technical signals through redesigns, platform moves, domain changes and site consolidation.
Built around mapping, testing and monitoring - not a risky “launch and hope” approach.
Protect valuable URLs
Map existing value before it disappears
Test before launch
Catch indexing and redirect errors early
Monitor after launch
Use evidence to guide follow-up work
SEO is a migration workstream, not a launch-day task
Every site move changes something Google and your customers rely on.
New pages can be quicker and better for users while still losing visibility if legacy URLs, internal links, metadata, robots rules or structured data are handled carelessly. We bring the SEO plan into the build, not the post-launch recovery.
CMS or platform move
Moving between WordPress, Shopify, Wix, bespoke systems or a new technical stack with a URL-level SEO plan.
Domain, protocol or subdomain change
A controlled move when your domain or site architecture changes, supported by accurate canonical, redirect and Search Console work.
Consolidation or replatforming
Merging content, retiring duplication or unifying websites while mapping worthwhile legacy pages to relevant new destinations.
Our controlled process
Plan first. Move with precision. Monitor with intent.
Google’s site-move guidance emphasises URL mapping, permanent redirects, updated internal links, self-referencing canonicals, updated sitemaps and ongoing monitoring. We make those requirements practical for your business and development team.
Important: we do not promise an unchanged ranking position. We reduce avoidable risk, create a verifiable migration record and act quickly when the evidence shows an issue.
STEP 01
Baseline & inventory
We capture priority URLs, rankings, indexing, key templates, internal links, metadata and current technical issues before the build changes anything.
STEP 02
URL mapping & redirect plan
Every valuable old URL is mapped to the closest relevant new URL. We avoid sending unrelated pages to the homepage - a common soft-404 mistake.
STEP 03
Staging QA
Before launch, we test crawl paths, canonical tags, status codes, robots directives, structured data, navigation and the new XML sitemap.
STEP 04
Launch control
We implement permanent redirects where needed, update internal links and make sure the live site is ready for users and crawlers.
STEP 05
Post-launch monitoring
We monitor coverage, redirects, priority URLs, crawl errors and traffic signals so issues are found early and addressed with evidence.
Building a new website too?
Our Manchester web design service and AI-powered website design work can be scoped alongside the migration plan, so design, content and SEO do not pull in different directions.
Explore web designProtect the technical foundation
A migration is a technical SEO event. Pair the plan with our technical SEO service, the free SEO audit and the AI Visibility Checker for a fuller picture.
Explore technical SEOFAQ
SEO website migration questions
Will an SEO website migration affect rankings?
Significant site changes can lead to temporary fluctuations while Google recrawls and reprocesses URLs. A well-planned migration reduces avoidable loss by using precise URL mapping, permanent redirects, correct canonicalisation and post-launch monitoring.
Can you move a website to a new platform without changing the domain?
Yes. Platform changes still need migration discipline because templates, internal links, rendering, metadata, sitemap rules and status codes can all change even when the domain stays the same.
Do 301 redirects lose PageRank?
Google’s site-move guidance states that permanent redirects such as 301s do not cause PageRank loss. The practical challenge is mapping old pages to the most relevant final destination and avoiding chains or irrelevant redirects.
When should we start migration SEO work?
Before design or development decisions are locked. The best time to protect organic value is during planning, when URL structure, content retention and technical requirements can be built into the new website rather than repaired after launch.
Service scope FAQs
What does this service cover for UK businesses?
The scope focuses on URL mapping, redirects, launch checks and post-migration monitoring. Think SEO agrees the applicable pages, access requirements and priorities with you before implementation.
What should we agree before work starts?
For UK businesses, the brief should identify the website, target customers, available evidence and the work included. Timelines depend on the scope and access; rankings, AI citations and enquiry volumes are not guaranteed.