Should You Roll Out Website Redesign and Architecture Updates During Google’s Core Update?
We’ve been working on some significant backend changes for a client’s website, aimed at enhancing its overall functionality. These updates include upgrading the CMS, migrating to Next.js, switching to a different CDN, and modifying URLs across multiple languages, which has introduced some new CDN-related challenges. Our initial plan was to implement this new setup next week. However, a major Google algorithm update is currently underway, raising concerns about potential issues that could arise from launching now. What are your thoughts on this? Could this negatively impact the website’s performance?
2 responses to “Is it wise to roll out a website redesign during a Google Core Update?”
When considering a website redesign and architecture updates amidst a Google Core Update rollout, several key factors need to be carefully evaluated. Here’s a detailed analysis of the situation:
Understanding Google Core Updates
Google Core Updates are significant changes to the search algorithm and systems that aim to improve the search results’ relevance and overall quality. These updates, which occur several times a year, can have substantial impacts on website rankings.
Potential Risks of Launching During a Core Update
Your website’s search rankings might already experience fluctuations due to Google’s algorithm changes. Introducing significant redesigns or architecture updates simultaneously could make it challenging to distinguish whether ranking changes are a result of the core update or your alterations.
Indexing Issues:
Major updates like modifying URLs, switching CMS, or changing how content is delivered (e.g., through a new CDN) could affect how Google indexes your site. Google’s systems might take time to adjust to these changes, leading to potential temporary dips in visibility.
Tracking and Analysis Confusion:
Potential Benefits of Waiting
By launching updates after the core update settles, you can ensure a more stable environment for assessing the impact of your architectural changes on site performance.
Clearer Impact Assessment:
Waiting allows you to measure the impact of the algorithm update independently, therefore providing a clearer picture of how your redesign efforts affect your site’s performance post-update.
Optimization Opportunities:
Considerations for Proceeding
If you decide to proceed with the launch during the core update, consider the following strategies:
Implement changes gradually to isolate and monitor the impact of each element rather than launching all changes simultaneously.
Comprehensive Testing:
Ensure all updates are thoroughly tested in a staging environment, including URL integrity, language versions, CMS functionalities, and CDN performance.
Preparedness for Rollback:
Plan for a rollback strategy to revert any changes swiftly if they cause unforeseen issues.
Enhanced Monitoring:
This is a thought-provoking question, and it’s great to see that you’re considering the timing of your redesign in the context of a Google Core Update. In general, rolling out major changes during a core update can pose risks, primarily due to the unpredictable nature of how Google’s algorithms will interact with your new website structure and content.
However, the decision ultimately depends on the specific updates you’re implementing. For instance, if the changes are primarily technical improvements like upgrading your CMS or migrating to a more efficient framework (like Next.js), these could ultimately benefit your site’s performance and user experience in the long run. If your website’s speed and functionality improve, it may align well with Google’s focus on delivering better user experiences.
That said, if substantial content changes or URL Restructuring.cloud/restructuring/” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener noreferrer”>restructuring are involved, it’s wise to proceed with caution. These adjustments can lead to temporary fluctuations in rankings, especially if you’re implementing them right as Google is recalibrating its algorithms.
One approach could be to roll out less impactful changes immediately while postponing more significant updates that could confuse search engines. Additionally, conducting thorough testing before and after the rollout can help mitigate risks. Ultimately, being strategic about your timing and ensuring that the site remains optimized for users can lead to a successful transition, even amidst algorithm shifts.