Troubleshooting Tips To Consider Before Moving A Website

Websites can break just like cars do. When websites stop working properly, there is a checklist of factors to evaluate and troubleshoot. An example of this would be when moving a website. Oftentimes one or more elements are overlooked when migrating a site. This can cause things to go wrong.

Trying to figure out why your website isn’t working correctly after being moved is a lot like walking into an unfamiliar, dark room and trying to find a light. Your goal is to turn the light on so you will be able to see. But first you have to locate a switch! Is it a string from the ceiling or a button on the floor? Is it on the wall or is it a lamp you have to find? Just like searching for that light switch, it is often challenging to pinpoint the element you’re looking for. Something has switched off and is causing your site to break or not function properly. If your site is underperforming after a new launch, then chances are there IS a switch to flip back on. Now you need to identify it.

If you think this comparison sounds crazy, have someone blindfold you and put you in a room you have never been in before. Tell them to hide the light switch from you and then try to find it. Watch out for tripping hazards like end tables and such as you walk around! Just like this might be tricky, discovering the solution to issues on your site is often more difficult than you initially think.

• Is the site live?
  • Look at it in a new browser you don’t often use or open it on a different computer (call a friend and ask them to look).
  • How does the site look on a cell phone?
• Is Analytics running?
  • Has anything changed?
  • Are users still coming in?
    • Where are the acquisitions from?
  • Have mobile ads or desktop ads failed?
  • Do mobile and desktop both show visitors?
• Are there any broken links?
• Does the site have any paid ads running?
  • Are they live?
  • What about sub-campaigns of main ads?
  • Has spend reduced?
• ‘Google Search’ the site.
  • What comes up on page one?
    • Did you rank there previously?
  • Are there other sites with your name popping up that weren’t there before?
  • Click those links and see if they take you to your website. Make sure the links aren’t broken.
  • Look back at terms (other than your name) that you used to rank for. See if you still rank for them and then see if those links are correct.
• Look at Google Search Console.
  • What looks like it is not right?

After you have successfully moved your site, run the troubleshooting steps again. Make sure to track your results the same way you did before migrating the site. Compare your results.

While these steps might not lead you to a direct fix for your website or lead flow issues, they will be a great start. If you still find that your site is slow to rebound, reach out to me. I would be happy to help you further troubleshoot the problem!