301-redirect strategy for migration

A 301 redirect is a permanent redirect from an old URL to a new one, telling the engine 'the page moved here for good' and passing most accumulated signals (positions, link weight) to the new address. A redirect strategy for migration is a full plan: inventory of old URLs, precise 'old → new' mapping (1:1, relevant), setting up 301s without chains and losses, checking, post-move monitoring. It is used for domain change, URL restructuring, moving to a new CMS, merging sites, switching to https. Honestly about 'critically important, but it is preservation, not growth': correct 301s during migration are protection of accumulated SEO. WITHOUT them (or with errors) a move = loss of positions, traffic and link weight, sometimes catastrophic. So it is genuinely needed, responsible work. But it is preservation of what already exists, not a position-growth tool — after a competent migration you at best preserve positions rather than soar. We honestly position this as protection. Honestly about the inevitable temporary drop, this matters: even with perfectly made redirects, a large migration almost always has a temporary traffic/position drop — the engine needs time to reindex new URLs and transfer signals (weeks, sometimes longer). This is normal and usually recovers, but promising 'a migration without a single dip' is dishonest. We honestly warn and minimize the drop rather than deny it. Honestly about the danger of errors: redirect errors are painful — lost pages (404 instead of 301), redirect chains (A→B→C, losing weight), loops, redirecting all old URLs to the homepage (a crude error losing relevance). So precise 1:1 mapping and thorough checking are needed, not a 'quick redirect'. Honestly about monitoring: after migration you must monitor indexing, errors, positions and promptly fix problems — it is part of the work, not 'switched and forgot'. Honestly about the effect: with a competent strategy it preserves positions, traffic and link weight during migration and minimizes risks, but with an honest warning about a temporary drop and without a promise of growth (it is protection, not a boost). Honestly about access: access to the old and new site, a full URL list are needed. An important boundary: this is 301 during migration; canonical — 384; 404 fixes — 426; indexing — 396. The base price starts from 70,000 ₽ (depends on site size and migration complexity).

• Migration (domain/URL/platform change) threatens loss of positions and traffic.
• Without correct 301s the accumulated link weight and positions will vanish.
• An expectation of migration 'without a single dip' in traffic (almost unrealistic).
• Redirect errors (404, chains, loops, all to the homepage) have already harmed.

• Full inventory of old URLs and precise 'old → new' mapping (1:1)
• Setting up 301 redirects without chains, loops and losses
• A migration plan minimizing risks and the temporary drop
• Redirect checking and monitoring of indexing/errors/positions after the move
• Prompt fixing of problems during the migration period
• Honest boundaries (critically important, but it is PRESERVATION, not growth; a temporary drop is almost inevitable; errors are dangerous; precise mapping and monitoring needed)
• A link with canonical (384) and 404 fixes (426)
• Documentation and handover

• Preserved positions, traffic and link weight during migration
• Correct 301s without chains and losses, precise URL mapping
• A minimized and controlled temporary drop
• Honest boundaries (it is protection, not growth; a drop is possible; monitoring needed)

• We inventory old URLs and build precise mapping to new ones
• We set up 301s without errors, test before and after switching
• We monitor indexing/positions, fix problems, honestly warn about the drop

• Will 301 redirects raise my positions?

  No, honestly: correct 301s during migration are PRESERVATION of accumulated positions, traffic and link weight, not a growth tool. Without them a move = loss of this (sometimes catastrophic), so the work is critically important. But after a competent migration you at best preserve positions rather than soar. We honestly position this as protection of accumulated SEO, not a boost.

• Will the migration go completely without a traffic drop?

  Almost never, honestly: even with perfectly made redirects, a large migration usually has a temporary traffic/position drop — the engine needs time to reindex new URLs and transfer signals (weeks, sometimes longer). This is normal and usually recovers. Promising 'a migration without a single dip' is dishonest. We minimize the drop and honestly warn about it rather than deny it.

• Can I just redirect all old addresses to the homepage?

  No, it is a crude error, honestly: redirecting all old URLs to the homepage loses relevance, and the engine perceives it almost as a 404 (loss of pages and weight). Precise 1:1 mapping is needed — each old URL to the corresponding new one, without chains and loops. Redirect errors (404, chains, all to the homepage) are painful. We do precise mapping and thorough checking, not a 'quick redirect'.