Hi Guys,
Sorry - this is a very long answer to my own question to any thats interested. Well, I've take the decision to go with a code workover rather than migration to a CMS. I have nothing against CMS's, I use em in other sites with success and saving on hair pulling, love em to bits etc.
The reason for the question was SERP/
SEO related. Our site ranks top for our niche and I want it to remain so (allowance for Google blips given). My concern was - in migrating to a CMS, it will make new Tags/URLs for every page - unless I go change each one (urgh) - or wait for Google to reindex. My experience in "pretty URLs" is variable & sometimes host related). I was and still am, pretty unsure of what would happen on such a migration.
So I spent the weekend, it was thundery here in Nice(France) with a beer and the the laptop redoing a main template. What I found was that a redesign is possible, retaining URLs, refining code & page structure, better look and a consistent feel is do-able while we get to improve some
SEO and well as look. I even found some new page/info ideas
I also found that by using my experience of CMS structure - I can create consistent content block areas that I will "Feed" and also use "includes" to files that I Have created with a WYSI, or my articles etc. I love the idea of my feed blocks, also I can simplify my page writing/maintenance after-then all with a WYSI, save & include em.
I would still love to hear from a kindly
SEO guy on their take on this issue. Like I said - its about retaining position (not
PR).
And - any hints are welcome and comments on
SEO of content includes.
Keep well and happy.