4 Pre-Launch SEO Steps for a Website that Rocks SERPs: Groundwrk’s Guide

In today’s digital world, an online presence is as essential as oxygen for businesses. But it’s not just about having a website; it’s about making it the Beyoncé of search engine results pages (SERPs) – unmissable and fabulous. Enter SEO (Search Engine Optimization), the backstage crew that puts your website in the spotlight.

With a whopping 71% of marketers singing the praises of attracting more traffic, nailing your pre-launch SEO is like hitting the high notes in a sold-out concert. Done with a little Groundwrk finesse, it can catapult your website to stardom in SERPs, leading to a flood of visitors and a standing ovation in ROI. So, let’s rock these four pre-launch SEO steps to amp up your website’s ranking and visibility.

Why Should I Care About “Pre-Launch SEO?

Think of pre-launch SEO like rehearsing before the big show. Skipping it is like going on stage without tuning your guitar. Sure, building a modern website can cost a pretty penny, and yeah, new websites can be a bit shaky in the SEO department at first. But here’s the deal: good SEO is like a long-term investment that pays off big time.

It’s all about dodging those common traps – poor on-page optimization, structural mishaps, keyword overload – that can trip up your website’s ranking. Think of it as laying down a solid foundation before building your digital empire.

The 4 Simple Steps To Strutting Your SEO Stuff Post Website Launch

Getting your website to strut its stuff in SERPs is like training for a marathon – it takes sweat, grit, and a sprinkle of Groundwrk magic. Keep your eyes peeled on your SEO progress post-launch by regularly checking your rank, backlinks, and organic search traffic. Here are four easy-peasy steps to get you on the SEO runway:

1st Step – Establishing a Baseline

First, set the stage with a good baseline. This is your measuring stick to track post-launch progress. Get Google Analytics and Google Search Console in your corner – they’re like your personal SEO trainers. Google Search Console is a goldmine of info on search appearances and SEO technicalities like sitemaps and indexing.

Now, spotlight your website’s SEO superstars – the pages pulling in the most traffic and backlinks. Then, give your site a technical once-over. Tools like SEMRush or Moz are your backstage passes here, offering a wider scope than Google Search Console’s in-house tool.

2nd Step – Figuring Out a Plan of Action

Now that you’ve got the lay of the land, it’s showtime for planning. Make sure those top SEO pages from Step 1 are ready to shine on the new site. Transitioning or redirecting old site pages is like choreographing a dance number – it’s got to be smooth.

Don’t drop the ball on redirects when switching domains. A misstep here can make your old site’s SEO traffic and rankings vanish into thin air. Choose from these four moves for old content:

301 redirects: The VIP of redirects, telling Google a page has sashayed to a new spot permanently. It passes on most of the old page’s SEO juice.

410 pages: A heads-up to Google that these pages are yesterday’s news and ready for the archives.

404: Use this for pages that are basically wallflowers in the SEO party and have no backup dancers on the new site.

3rd Step – Post Launch – Quality Assurance

Quality assurance is like the dress rehearsal post-launch. Run another SEO test with Moz or SEMRush. It’s like checking your makeup and costume before going on stage. Compare pre and post-launch notes and ensure no new gremlins have sneaked in. These audits also spotlight any 404’d pages, giving you the lowdown on how your redirects are grooving.

Dive into Google Analytics too. Keep an eye on your website traffic like a hawk. Any significant drops? That’s your cue to investigate. And stay alert for spammy links – they’re like party crashers you don’t want.

4th Step – Continuous Monitoring

SEO is a marathon, not a sprint. Stay on your toes by continuously monitoring your site. In the initial days post-launch, live in Google Search Console and Google Analytics. Then, ease into a weekly check-in routine.

Set up Google Custom Alerts for SEO traffic updates, and have your audit tool run automatic weekly checkups. This keeps your finger on the pulse of your site’s SEO health for the first 4-8 weeks post-launch.

The Bottom Line

A dip in Google traffic post-launch is like the calm before the storm – pretty normal. But without a watchful eye, your site could end up in digital limbo. After pouring your heart, soul, and wallet into your new site, ensure it’s tuned for maximum ROI.

With a chorus of over 250 different SEO signals, having a dedicated SEO maestro is key. At Groundwrk, our band of website launch virtuosos is ready to ensure your site not only launches smoothly but also sings in the long term.