When a website changes structure, redirects help visitors and search engines reach the new version of a page. The first step is to record the old URLs and map each one to the closest relevant destination. Sending every retired page to the homepage is usually confusing for visitors and may not preserve the intent of the old URL.
Create a useful map
Export or crawl the current URLs, identify the pages that must remain, and decide whether a path can be preserved. For changed paths, map a one-to-one destination where possible. If a page has no replacement, provide a clear alternative or allow it to return an appropriate not-found response.
Test the result
Check that redirects use the intended status, avoid chains and do not loop. Test important URLs from the old domain and confirm the destination loads securely. Update internal links so the site does not rely on its own redirects. Review sitemap and canonical behavior after launch.
Redirects are one part of migration hygiene, not a ranking guarantee. Search engines need to recrawl the site, and content, competition and technical factors also matter. Keep a redirect list and monitor errors after launch. If a move involves many pages or a domain change, include URL mapping in the project scope rather than treating it as a last-minute task.
Written by Code Papa, an independent WordPress developer based in the UAE with 15 years of experience.