As the web continues to evolve and grow, it can be necessary for businesses to update their websites with the latest technology and SEO tactics. This inevitably means that re-launching a website is absolutely crucial to stay current with the Googles, and ensure the best possible online experience a user can have to continue their relationship with your business. Re-launching a site, however, can be a very stressful time because there are a number of things that can go wrong. Here are five things you need to do when re-launching your website, in order to avoid any crucial mistakes.
1. 301 Redirects
If you are changing your URL, you must put a 301 redirect in place from the old URLs to the new URLs. First, make sure your test environment works beforehand. Then, add a line to your host file for the live URL and run a site search on Google. By running through each link from those results, you can ensure that the links will redirect correctly.
2. Analytics Code
If you would like to see what is happening to your site immediately after a re-launch, add analytics code to every page of your site. This is extremely crucial for anyone who likes to know what is actually going on with their new site.
3. Google Adwords
As a part of going ‘live’ with a new site, you should update your Adwords campaign. A re-launch presents the opportunity for new keywords and the elimination of others that may no longer be relevant.
4. Bounce Rates
Bounce rates can be a very good measurement to determine how the general public is reacting to your new site. Look for pages that have a dramatic change in the bounce rate. If it has reduced, there are probably some lessons that can be learned and applied to other areas of your site.
5. End to End Test
No matter how much testing you have conducted, it is imperative to run a full end to end test. If you don’t, you are leaving much up to chance: a missed DNS update, an IP address change or a removed host file. The smallest little change can take the whole site down with it.
A number of small things can go wrong during a site re-launch. There is nothing more annoying to would-be visitors than finding that the new site is worse than the old one. It is crucial that you take careful consideration of the five things to do, to avoid any mistakes.
About the Author:
Ethan Luke. seo - At Volacci, we have top SEO consultants who know what it will take to make your SEO campaign a success.