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After a Website Redesign: Redirects and a Checklist So You Don't Lose Customers
A new website is exciting, but redesigns often quietly break things. Old page addresses that Google, customers' bookmarks, and other websites link to suddenly lead to "page not found". Here's how to avoid that.
Before launch: list your old pages
- Get a list of every page on the old site. Your old sitemap (often
/sitemap.xml) or Search Console's Pages report are good sources. - Note which pages get the most visits, or have links from other sites, in Search Console's Performance and Links reports.
Set up 301 redirects
A 301 redirect automatically sends anyone visiting an old address to the matching new page. Google's documentation recommends permanent server-side redirects when page addresses change.
- Map each old page to its closest new page:
/brakes.html→/services/brake-repair/. - Don't send everything to the homepage; send people to the matching page.
- Most builders have a "URL redirects" setting; on WordPress, a redirect plugin or your host can do it.
- Keep the redirects in place long term (Google suggests at least a year for site moves).
- Test the old addresses from your list; each should land on the right new page.
- Check for broken links on the new site. How to find and fix broken links.
- HTTPS works and http:// redirects to https://.
- Titles, meta descriptions and business details for Google carried over. See page titles and LocalBusiness schema.
- Phone links, forms and booking work. Send a test request.
- Search Console: submit the new sitemap and watch the Pages report for a few weeks. If you changed domain names, use the Change of Address tool.
- Update the website link on your Google Business Profile and directories if the address changed.
- Re-check speed on phones; new themes are sometimes heavier.
- Google Search Central: Site moves with URL changes
- Google Search Central: Redirects and Google Search
- Search Console Help: Page indexing report
- Google Search Central: Build and submit a sitemap
- How to Find and Fix Broken Links on Your Shop Website
- How to Set Up Google Search Console for Your Shop Website
- Choosing a Website Builder or Host for an Auto Repair Shop
After launch: checklist
Weekly monitoring (coming soon) is designed to catch new broken links and issues after changes like these.
Check your own site in seconds
Our free website check for auto repair shops looks at one page for broken links, Google basics, phone setup, HTTPS, image descriptions and business details for Google, and explains what it finds in plain English.
Official sources
Related guides
General information for shop owners, not legal advice. Last reviewed October 2026.