Quick answer
Before launching a new site or redesign, map old URLs to new ones with 301 redirects, remove noindex, test speed and mobile, and set up Search Console and tracking.
Last updated: October 2026
Most traffic losses after a launch are avoidable. Tick these off first.
Before launch
- ☐ Crawl the old site and save all URLs
- ☐ Map every old URL to a new URL
- ☐ Test the site on staging with noindex on
- ☐ Check titles, descriptions and headings on key pages
- ☐ Test speed and mobile layout
At launch
- ☐ Remove noindex and password protection
- ☐ Upload robots.txt and XML sitemap
- ☐ Implement all 301 redirects
- ☐ Connect Google Search Console and Analytics
- ☐ Check HTTPS and canonical tags
After launch
- ☐ Re-crawl and fix 404s and redirect chains
- ☐ Submit the sitemap and request indexing of key pages
- ☐ Monitor rankings and traffic for 4 weeks
- ☐ Update internal links, profiles and citations
Launching a new website?
We build SEO-ready WordPress sites and handle redirects and launch checks.
Frequently asked questions
Will a redesign hurt my SEO?
Not if URLs, content and redirects are managed properly. Most losses come from missing redirects and noindex mistakes.
How long should I monitor after launch?
Monitor daily for the first two weeks, then weekly for about two months.
