Have #1 ranking now, redesigning site, how to keep it?

sformby · #1 (**permalink**) 07-28-2005, 05:18 PM

My client has #1 ranking for a specific keyword right now (based on my optimizations), the link on Google is for their home page. I am completely redesigning their site, and have optimized it again, as best I know how. They are leery about making the switch to the new site (although overall it is a much better layout and has better content), since there is no guarantee we'll keep the top spot.

One of the client's staff suggested I keep the old home page and redirect to the new one, which he said would "keep our ranking."

This doesn't sound right to me, besides, wouldn't the old page appear on screen? What kind of "redirect" would this be?

Any other thoughts on "keeping good rankings?"

KeithO · #2 (**permalink**) 07-28-2005, 05:22 PM

as long as the new site has good content and is well optimized, it should be fine.

bhartzer · #3 (**permalink**) 07-28-2005, 06:09 PM

Whenever you redesign a website the number one priority--for SEO purposes--must be to keep the same URLs as before. The look and feel can be different--as well as the content--but the navigation and URLs should be the same.

If you must change URLs, then look into using mod_rewrite or ISAPI rewrite so you can keep the same URLs as before. If you still cannot do that, then each old page should redirect to the new page using a 301 Permanent Redirect.

sformby · #4 (**permalink**) 07-28-2005, 06:19 PM

The site is vastly different now, not sure how to do the redirects. I'm mostly concerned about the home page, which was the page with the most SEO done on it. The old home page is named Default.asp, and I should name the new one Default.asp, that's what your point, yes?

Thanks.

toyourhealth · #5 (**permalink**) 07-29-2005, 04:50 PM

It's pretty "gutsy" to redesign a website especially when you have a number one ranking and even more gutsy if that key word is pulling in a lot of sales.

Actually, I was hoping this topic would get more interest because I am sure it is on the minds of a lot of peoople who also are interested in redesigning their high ranking websites.

I have to agree with bhartzer unless someone states something different.

I also believe that if you aren't going to do a permanent 301 redirect that a pretty big priority is to keep the same URLs as before. And, in addition to that, I would also think the key word ratio would need to be exactly the same as the old site as well...

Good topic! I hope it generates more posts.

voasi · #6 (**permalink**) 07-29-2005, 05:03 PM

I have to 2nd bhartzer's comment. That seems to be the biggest mistake I see when I find webmasters wanting to redesign: changing the URLs. The pages have already been indexed and have rankings, why would you want to start over with fresh URLs and no ranking.

Keep the same URLs and content on the pages and you should have a smooth transition.

derickyeoh · #7 (**permalink**) 07-29-2005, 09:28 PM

My suggestion will be keep both the current page and new page running. Add in the zero second redirection to your current page and point it to your new page.

Append the syntax below in your current page html file :
<meta
http-equiv="refresh" content="0; url=http://your new page URL">

Hope this help.

DerickYeoh
derick@alotmall.com
softwareGuy.alotmall.com

greeneagle · #8 (**permalink**) 07-29-2005, 10:15 PM

derickyeoh,

Welcome to WPW, but fair warning, I am not going to do it, but you may get hammered for that suggestion.

The importance of maintaining the same URLs goes down with Site age and degree of similar content. You do want to do your 301 redirects per page as possible. If there is nothing similar either redirect to a Sitemap or the Home Page.

One of the most important things you can do to help catch the "fall-out" though, is to make sure you have a custom 404 error page.

Every Site needs one. Even without a major Site/URL overhaul, a Site can have a large number of attempted visits that aren't captured in that safety snare.

Ken

Andy SEO · #9 (**permalink**) 07-30-2005, 01:32 AM

If you have to change URL names then use a 301 redirect and you will have no problems retaining your page PR.

A 301 redirect is the method preferred by the search engines, they don't like to see the use of Refresh.

Last year, I had the same problem myself on quite a few pages I wanted to rename on the my site. The solution I found enables you to automate your redirects and control them site wide through a control panel interface.

Here are just some of the quoted things it will do:

The redirect script accepts "wild card statements" which means you can redirect entire directories with one entry.

You can monitor and correct problems on your site that could otherwise go unnoticed for months. I have found this very useful.

No temporary pages presented to visitors like you see on many websites.

Records and redirects all 404 errors before they're allowed to present a page not found to a visitors browser or a search engine. You can see what pages visitors have been trying to find, but they never find a 404 because the script automatically redirects them to any page of your choice.

I have been using this script on my site since last year and I use it for many things other than just 301 redirects. It solved the page renaming problem for me and I had no problems with PR on the renamed pages.

If you want to learn more about the redirect script I use I suggest you take a look at http://www.webpageaddons.com/redirect-script.htm it gives a more detailed explanation of what it will do.

It will solve your page renaming whilst retaining PR problem, it did mine ;-)

Andy
http://www.the-search-engine-optimizer.com

**incrediblehelp** · #10 (**permalink**) 07-31-2005, 01:13 AM

sformby are they on IIS or apache? What is the new and old website coded in?

cspelts · #11 (**permalink**) 07-31-2005, 04:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toyourhealth

if you aren't going to do a permanent 301 redirect that a pretty big priority is to keep the same URLs as before.

I would suggest you reverse that! Your first and best choice is to keep the same page names, and if that's not possible then use the permanent 301 redirect. The exception is if your page names are not descriptive - then yeah, change them to use your keywords and use the 301 redirect.

Quote:

Originally Posted by derickyeoh

My suggestion will be keep both the current page and new page running. Add in the zero second redirection to your current page and point it to your new page.

Please don't do this. It's a really fast and effective way to lose your #1 ranking!

thebloke · #12 (**permalink**) 08-02-2005, 12:48 PM

I'm currently completely redesigning our site. We are absolutely keeping the same url's thoughout as we currently have an average PR of 5 and are pretty well listed for most of our key words.

The site has been redesigned completely with SEO in mind, tables replaced with CSS, increased/improved content, absolute links - the full works.

I'm hoping that by keeping the same url's and improving the content that our PR and listings will improve. I think I'm going to keep a copy of the old site ready to put back if it all goes pear-shaped!!

Peter

phunklord · #13 (**permalink**) 08-02-2005, 03:16 PM

How much improvement have you noticed with the CSS design? Is it limiting in any way, design-wise?

thebloke · #14 (**permalink**) 08-03-2005, 04:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phunklord

How much improvement have you noticed with the CSS design? Is it limiting in any way, design-wise?

It hasn't gone live yet, should be up in a week or so. It's been due for a redesign for a long, long time. I've only been working on it for 4 months now and quickly managed to convince the top brass that it needed doing as a matter of priority.

There is absolutely no limit to designing or building the site using css. In fact, it's probably easier.