How to Retrieve Lost URLs Post-CMS Migration and Boost Your SEO

Migrating a website to a new Content Management System (CMS) is a significant task that can entail considerable complications, one of which is the potential loss of URLs. Lost URLs can lead to broken links and a decline in SEO performance. However, there are ways to identify and restore these URLs effectively.

Why This Is Important

The URL structure of a website is crucial for maintaining SEO. When URLs are lost during a migration, it can result in a loss of traffic and search engine visibility. Identifying and repairing these URLs can preserve or even improve your site’s SEO performance.

Impact on SEO

Broken and missing URLs can lead to a loss of inbound links and PageRank, negatively impacting search rankings. It’s essential to maintain the integrity of your site’s URL structure to ensure a smooth transition during CMS migration.

Actionable Takeaways

• Conduct a thorough audit of your website before and after a CMS migration to identify existing URLs.
• Use tools such as Wayback Machine or URL check scripts to look for URLs that have stopped functioning correctly.
• Leverage commands like curl, grep, and awk to filter out important URLs that are not redirecting or returning any content.
• Ensure that relevant historical content is correctly redirected or republished.
• Engage both SEO and development teams in the migration process to handle any discrepancies promptly.

Resources for Further Reading

To dive deeper into the technical aspects and additional recommendations, you can check out John Mueller’s article on Trust Issues After a CMS Migration.

Understanding and implementing thorough checks after a CMS migration ensures minimal disruption and better continuity for your site’s SEO strategy.

This blog post guides you through mitigating SEO risks associated with CMS migrations by highlighting the importance of URL integrity and offering actionable solutions to prevent disruptions.