Re: Best way to update a site while minimizing downtime
You will take a hit, there's no doubt there, but you're wise to implement as many 301's as possible to minimize the impact of the overall change.
Don't forget to create a new sitemap and robots.txt file. Be sure to submit them when you update.
Use Xenu Link Sleuth to check for broken links and missing pages.
After you've been indexed, check your Webmaster tools pages for 404's and spidering errors. Ensure that any outdated IBL's are covered with 301's and fix any errors ASAP.
Don't worry too much though. While one does tend to panic, it's normal to see your rankings drop for a few weeks until things even out. They'll bounce back.
Looks like you've done your homework though, so do what you can to minimize the flux and try to relax.
.02
|