I redirected all URLs to their equivalent with a 301 status after re-platforming and changing DNS settings 8 days ago. The sitemap was instantly submitted in GSC and there are no issues with the robots.txt file. Four days ago, there was a significant drop in traffic and impressions, especially for highly competitive keywords.I’m wondering if this drop is due to the recent migration and will resolve itself soon, or if I need to address the issue now. Any advice on what to do in this situation?
It’s understandable to be concerned about a sudden traffic drop after a re-platforming effort, especially when you’ve taken steps to ensure a smooth transition with 301 redirects, sitemap submission, and a clean robots.txt. While it’s possible the traffic dip is a temporary blip related to the migration, several factors could be contributing to the decline.
1. Google’s Algorithm Update: It’s essential to check if there were any recent Google algorithm updates that might have impacted your site’s ranking. Algorithm updates are frequent, and some might negatively impact certain websites.
2. Crawling and Indexing Delays: Even with a proper sitemap submission, Google might need time to re-crawl and re-index your new site. This process can take several weeks, and it’s possible your rankings are still being adjusted.
3. Technical Issues: Despite your efforts, there might be some technical glitches hindering Google’s ability to crawl your new site properly. Double-check for any broken links, slow loading times, or other technical issues.
4. Content Quality: The migration might have unintentionally affected the quality of your content. Make sure your content is still relevant, well-written, and optimized for your target keywords.
5. Competitor Updates: It’s possible that your competitors have made changes to their websites or marketing strategies that have boosted their rankings, impacting your visibility.
Here’s what you can do:
- Monitor Your Search Console: Keep a close eye on your Search Console data to identify any specific errors, warnings, or drops in ranking.
- Analyze Keyword Performance: Use your analytics tool to see how specific keywords are performing and if there are any significant drops in traffic or impressions.
- Perform a Technical Audit: Conduct a thorough technical SEO audit to identify and fix any underlying technical issues.
- Check Your Content: Ensure your content is still relevant, well-written, and optimized for your target audience.
- Stay Updated with Google: Regularly check Google’s webmaster blog and announcements for any algorithm updates or changes.
- Be Patient: It might take time for Google to fully re-index your new website and adjust your rankings.
If you’re still experiencing a traffic drop after a few weeks and have ruled out any technical issues, it might be helpful to consult with an SEO expert for a more in-depth analysis and guidance.