Before redesigning your website, create a redirect map for all existing URLs, benchmark current SEO rankings and traffic, document all form integrations, backup your analytics data, and define conversion goals for the new site. The most common redesign mistake is launching a beautiful new site that loses 40% of organic traffic because URL structures changed without redirects.
Before You Start
A website redesign is exciting until you realize the new site gets less traffic than the old one. The number one cause of post redesign traffic loss is URL changes without proper 301 redirects. Before touching a single pixel of your new design, create a complete map of every URL on your current site and plan where each will redirect. This is not optional.
SEO Considerations
SEO preparation includes: benchmark all current keyword rankings, export all backlinks pointing to your current URLs, document your current site architecture and internal linking structure, and plan the new URL structure to maintain keyword targeting. If a page currently ranks #3 for an important keyword, that URL either needs to stay the same or have a proper 301 redirect.
Design and UX
Design decisions should be driven by conversion data, not personal preference. Before redesigning, analyze your current heatmaps and session recordings to understand how users actually navigate your site. Keep what works, fix what does not. The prettiest website in the world is worthless if nobody fills out the contact form.
Technical Requirements
Technical requirements for a modern website: sub 2 second load time (Core Web Vitals), mobile first responsive design, proper heading hierarchy, schema markup on every page, XML sitemap, robots.txt, canonical tags, and HTTPS. If your developer does not mention these things unprompted, find a different developer.
Content and Conversion
Content strategy during a redesign is often overlooked. Do not just move old content to new templates. Audit every page: does it still serve a purpose? Does it target the right keywords? Is the copy compelling? A redesign is your chance to improve every page, not just how it looks.
Launch Day Checklist
Launch day checklist: test all forms and confirm submissions reach your CRM, verify analytics tracking is working, check all 301 redirects are in place, submit new sitemap to Google Search Console, test on mobile devices, verify page speed scores, and monitor search rankings daily for the first 2 weeks. Do not launch on a Friday.