We are transitioning to a new Ecommerce platform and want to consider the impact on SEO. The on-page SEO was previously basic but will now be more advanced. I plan to conduct an audit before and after the migration to make improvements. I will also subscribe to tools like Ahrefs and Screaming Frog. Is there anything else I should consider? I am willing to learn about redirects and any other necessary information.
Here are some key considerations for migrating your ecommerce platform, especially regarding SEO:
1. Redircts:
- 301 Redirects Are Essential: Implementing 301 redirects for every URL on your old platform to the corresponding page on the new platform is crucial. This tells search engines that the content has permanently moved, preserving your SEO value.
- Don’t Forget Images: Image URLs also need to be redirected, as they can contribute to your search ranking.
- Test Thoroughly: Use a tool like Screaming Frog to crawl both your old and new sites, identify any missing redirects, and fix them.
2. On-Page SEO:
- Data Migration and Accuracy: Ensure all product data (titles, descriptions, images, categories) is accurately transferred to the new platform.
- Structured Data: Consider using structured data markup on product pages to help search engines understand your content.
- Internal Linking: Review and optimize your internal linking structure to improve user experience and signal to search engines the importance of your pages.
3. Technical SEO:
- Site Speed: The speed of your new platform is crucial for user experience and search engine rankings.
- Mobile Friendliness: Ensure the new platform is fully responsive and optimized for mobile devices.
- HTTPS: If not already, implement HTTPS on the new platform to enhance security and gain a ranking boost.
4. Tools:
- Ahrefs and Screaming Frog: Excellent choices for comprehensive SEO audits, keyword research, and backlink analysis.
- Google Search Console: Essential for monitoring your site’s performance, identifying crawl errors, and understanding how search engines are indexing your pages.
- Google Analytics: Use Google Analytics to track traffic, conversions, and understand user behavior on the new platform.
5. Content Audit:
- Content Quality: Review all your product descriptions and other content. Ensure it’s fresh, relevant, and optimized for search.
- Keyword Research: Conduct thorough keyword research for product pages, category pages, and the overall site to optimize for relevant search terms.
6. Additional Tips:
- Staging Environment: Test everything in a staging environment before going live to prevent any unforeseen issues.
- Timeline: Factor in ample time for the migration process, including testing, optimization, and potential troubleshooting.
- Communication: Keep your team and any involved stakeholders informed about the progress of the migration.
By carefully considering these factors and using the appropriate tools, you can ensure a smooth and successful ecommerce platform migration that doesn’t negatively impact your SEO performance.