This post started out to be a quick case study on the effectiveness of getting your business listed in Local Search Engines – and quickly turned into what not to do if you decide to upgrade or remodel your Web site. The reason for the change was noting that a site that had 543 listings in Google the last time I checked had dropped to only 234.
The reason for the drop was that their “friends” are “helping them out” by remodeling their site. The first thing they did was remove all existing pages and replace the home page with “We are currently remodeling”.
Any professionals reading this already know where I’m going so you may want to check out the categories and sub-categories in the right sidebar as this blog is intended for reference and I update older posts regularly with new links and current information.
If you don’t already know why you should NEVER remove an existing site without knowing what you’re doing please read on. One of the reasons I don’t personally work with clients any more is that I feel so badly for them when they do something so unfortunate as this to themselves.
BEFORE you replace a single existing page the URL for that page should be redirected to the new equivalent page. At a minimum redirect all “missing” pages to your home page. Don’t just cause them to disappear. When you do this you lose all the incoming visitors and every search engine listing for those pages.
- Do you really want to eliminate all your existing incoming links in one fell swoop?
- Do not delete pages without redirecting them.
- Do not rename pages without redirecting them.
- Do not replace real content with “we’re remodeling”. How effective is THAT kind of non-content for retaining existing clients much less generating new business?
If you don’t know how to redirect pages find someone that does. Don’t let anyone touch your site until you know they know what they’re doing!
NOTE: Web Designers should be creating your new site on a development site and THEN when it all works moving it to your domain. Wise site builders do NOT test new designs on live sites!!!
[NOTE: If you already have a site or blog with a free hosting company that doesn't provide for you to do redirects use creative 404 pages instead.]
And while we’re talking about redesigning and upgrading, if you’re serious about being online, existing sites should be created as WordPress blogs and made interactive. Unless you’re already famous, having a site that “lectures” visitors instead of one that allows them to interact with you is going to be a bust.
Figure out how to create a community and make your visitors feel welcome. Find out what they want and give it to them. The number one complaint – offline and on – is unresponsive customer service. It doesn’t work for corporations any longer – they’re being dragged into responding – and it won’t work for any small businesses – or even bloggers – either.
MORE WEB DESIGN TIPS:
PAINFUL REDESIGNS:
- Published on ProBlogger (guest post): Luck is a Curse: How NOT TO Relaunch and Rebrand Your Blog. There May Be Tears
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“under construction” and “we are down for maintenance” pages are terrible – and they sometimes get indexed even if it is for just a few hours. Much better to leave the content up, but disable bookings or other functionality that is being updated.
Quite true. I never really understood why some sites just put up a we’re remodeling or under construction page. When I see something like that, it makes me think that the persons behind the change didn’t really think through what it was they wanted to do.
Erik’s last blog post..West End Fabric Shower Curtain
Twitter: GrowMap
February 13, 2009 at 3:02 pm
Twitter: @GrowMap
@Amri Unless there is a REALLY good reason no Web site should delete pages without at least redirecting them first. For most blogs and stores deleting any content IS going to have a negative impact so why do it?
In an online store if you discontinue a product use that page to offer related products or at least let the visitor know that you don’t carry that item any longer – and why (manufacturer discontinued, temporarily out of stock, etc.)
I can only imagine how many sales from both new and existing customers stores have lost through deleting old products (or removing the Add to Cart button) instead of communicating with their customers using the page that brought them to your site.
@Terry @D. Burant Thank you both for sharing that 301 redirects are still the appropriate way to preserve existing traffic.
InternetStrategist’s last blog post..What NOT To Do With Your Existing Web Site When You Upgrade or Remodel
I agree with B Durant…go with the 301 redirect
Yea, I have problems before. I upgraded my Wordpress installation. It wents error everytime I upgraded my sites. Afer do WP official’s sugestion to upgrade, it works well.
Your content really help me. I deleted my pages. After a couple days, my page rank went down. And from Google Analytics, it also showing minus. Well, I still wondering what may be wrong. I think you just right.
I have deleted pages without any action to redirect it. Thanks, for this information. It helps me much.
Twitter: GrowMap
February 12, 2009 at 4:24 pm
Twitter: @GrowMap
@B.Durant We’d need to consult an SEO expert for an accurate answer. Although I am aware of the basics I am not an SEO nor do I manage the technical aspects of sites myself.
I suspect the answers may change over time so the best time to research is when you’re planning a major change.
You’re into pet snakes? Are you a herpetologist?
@owain Thanks for commenting. One of the reasons I posted this information is that many site owners don’t even know they’ve made these mistakes even after they have!
I see your blog is about fitness and exercise. I’m glad to see you’re visiting blogs outside your own niche – specifically those on how to increase the popularity of your blog.
I always find it amusing when people with Twitter profiles indicating they’re into blogging or social networking unfollow when you post information specifically on those topics.
InternetStrategist’s last blog post..What NOT To Do With Your Existing Web Site When You Upgrade or Remodel
this tips are helpful for me. I plan to move my hosting but I have no idea how to move my exist website. Could you have any suggestion?
Jamaica website’s last blog post..www wamucards com
Some nice information. I think this is one of the things that almost everyone will run into at some point especially if you have several websites. I have had quite a few problems with 301 redirects and learned some harsh lessons along the way. Haha.
owain’s last blog post..John Cena Workout Routine
I usually redirect using .htaccess (301 permanent) because it is easy and quick to do it across the board. Any idea what the effect on SEO is vs doing it using something like meta/header redirect on the individual page(s) themselves?
often knowing what “not” to do is just as important as knowing what “to” do.
Absolutely, couldn’t have said better myself…
Yan
Yan’s last blog post..Arizona Culinary Schools
Twitter: GrowMap
February 12, 2009 at 1:42 am
Twitter: @GrowMap
@Yan Thanks for commenting Yan. Yes, often knowing what “not” to do is just as important as knowing what “to” do.
InternetStrategist’s last blog post..What NOT To Do With Your Existing Web Site When You Upgrade or Remodel
This article is particularly handy for beginners who aren’t aware of “redirection” prior to deleting any urls. Of course, with WordPress, everything is easily taken care of. Nice tip on what “not” to do.
Yan
Yan’s last blog post..Arizona Culinary Schools
Twitter: GrowMap
February 11, 2009 at 3:46 pm
Twitter: @GrowMap
@Rob Thank you for visiting and taking the time to comment. I am glad you picked up some ideas here and hope you’ll be back. I’ll go check out your Hints and Tips as soon as I send this.
If you’re using WordPress you can “tinker” regularly without affecting your incoming links. I highly recommend it. I’ll be doing more posts on using and improving WP Themes in the hopefully near future.
InternetStrategist’s last blog post..What NOT To Do With Your Existing Web Site When You Upgrade or Remodel
I think for remodeling our site is waste the time also..
Remodeling our web site is very hard to do…i hate it
It may seem obvious to exerienced web-designers etc, but it has taught me a few things. Thanks! Having just redesigned, changed hosting etc, I didn’t do any of the suggestions, but fortunately my traffic was so low before, that I don’t think I’ve lost out on anything. But I’ll bear your points in mind, as I will no doubt be tinkering in the near future.
Rob’s last blog post..Hints and Tips
Twitter: GrowMap
February 10, 2009 at 6:32 pm
Twitter: @GrowMap
@Dennis: The great thing about using WordPress is that you may not have to change your links to remodel. Restructuring might be different, but WP handles some of that internally too. I’m off to read your new comment policy.
InternetStrategist’s last blog post..What NOT To Do With Your Existing Web Site When You Upgrade or Remodel
Twitter: DennisEdell
February 10, 2009 at 4:36 pm
Twitter: @DennisEdell
Very timely, thanks! I’ll be redesigning and maybe restructuring all 3 blogs a bit soon.
Dennis Edell’s last blog post..New Comment Policy – You Want To Read This
Twitter: GrowMap
February 10, 2009 at 4:08 pm
Twitter: @GrowMap
@Le Creuset Things become obvious once we learn them. Many people don’t think to ask as many questions as I do. Since they don’t understand how search engines work or how their visitors find them they make these mistakes.
We have a mix of readers from those with exceptional talents and experience to those just learning to set up their own blogs or improve their online stores. Since there is no way to know what each person already knows it is good to cover even the basics at times.
Oh wow. I would think this stuff would be obvious but i guess not. Great advice certainly – these are huge mistakes deleting content etc.
Le Creuset’s last blog post..La Creuset Cookware Product Line
Twitter: GrowMap
February 10, 2009 at 11:42 am
Twitter: @GrowMap
@Theo Thank you so much for the tip that 301 header redirects are the appropriate method to use when redirecting. While I am far more familiar with SEO than many, it is not my area of expertise.
@Matt Thanks for dropping by and taking the time to comment. I know that most Web site owners don’t have the background that many bloggers we read do. I take the time to share information that many already know for the benefit of those who don’t.
Nice post, this is a good idea for most people that are planning on changing their site. There are some great tips there on what not to do. thanks
Please note that it is extremely important to use a 301 header redirect, and not a meta refresh, 302 redirect or any other method of redirecting. Otherwise the search engines will not pick up the redirecting as supposed!
Theo’s last blog post..Checklist ‘Mijn Website Is Stuk’
Twitter: GrowMap
February 9, 2009 at 7:21 pm
Twitter: @GrowMap
@Andy Thank you so much for taking the time to comment. I was appalled but not particularly surprised as I’ve seen this so many times.
Would you believe I actually set up a free WordPress blog for them and moved some of their content and created exceptional NEW content for them so they could see the benefits of moving to an interactive site.
Apparently that was almost a complete waste of time as even with a live site plus information on how much more a hosted, upgraded WP blog would benefit them than this free site and how much better even the free WP site was over their existing site I would be willing to bet that the “new” site is just another static site.
This is another reminder that I must focus my efforts on sharing what I’ve learned and very rarely ever do hands-on work to assist others. It reminds me of that book title “He’s Just Not That Into You” – it appears that most are “Just Not That Into Excellence”.
Great points for anyone reworking their site. This is one of the reasons we always recommend WordPress – so you can update / redesign your site without touching your structure.
I also hate the “under construction” or “coming soon”.. Anything is better than this!
Andy Brudtkuhl’s last blog post..6 WordPress Plugins to Increase Reader Engagement
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