After a WordPress redesign, check that the 'discourage search engines' setting is off, set up 301 redirects for any changed URLs, confirm pages are indexable, preserve titles and metadata, keep internal links and content, re-add schema, resubmit your sitemap, and verify speed. Skipping these is what tanks rankings.
Why redesigns risk SEO
A new design often changes URLs, content, and settings — any of which can drop rankings.
The checklist
Turn off search-engine discouragement, add 301 redirects, confirm indexability, preserve metadata and content, re-add schema, resubmit sitemap, and test speed.
Implementing it
Crawl before and after, map redirects, check Search Console, and validate schema and Core Web Vitals.
Common mistakes
Leaving the site discouraged from indexing, changing URLs without redirects, and losing content.
When to call a professional
If rankings already dropped, recovery is faster with an experienced eye.
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Frequently asked questions
Usually missing redirects, lost content, or an indexing setting left on.
Avoid it if possible; if they must, add 301 redirects.
Plan redirects, preserve content and metadata, and test before launch.
Yes — SEO-safe redesigns and recovery are core services.