Website migrations can bring fresh design and new features, but they also carry real SEO risks. Here are some of the most common mistakes and how to avoid them.

One major mistake is forgetting to set up proper 301 redirects. Without them, users and search engines can’t find your pages, leading to traffic losses. Fix this by creating and testing a complete redirect plan before launch.

Another pitfall is neglecting to audit your existing site. If you don’t know which pages and keywords drive the most value, you might drop or change them accidentally. A thorough audit helps you preserve what’s working.

Some teams also forget to update internal links and canonical tags, leaving them pointing to old URLs. Before going live, check your site structure and ensure everything points to the new pages.

Finally, failing to monitor performance after the migration can hide problems until it’s too late. Regularly check Google Search Console, crawl reports and analytics to catch and correct any issues early.

By addressing these common mistakes, you can reduce the risks of migration and keep your site’s SEO performance on track.

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