Many businesses delay redesigning their website for one big reason—fear of losing Google rankings. And that fear is valid. A poorly planned redesign can erase years of SEO effort overnight.
But the reality is this:
A website redesign, when done correctly, can improve rankings, user experience, and conversions at the same time.
At Infowaves, a Dubai-based website design agency, we help businesses redesign outdated websites while protecting—and often improving—their search visibility. This guide explains exactly how to do it right.
Why Website Redesigns Often Cause Ranking Drops
Ranking losses usually don’t happen because of design changes alone. They happen due to SEO-critical elements being ignored during redesign.
Common mistakes include:
- URL structure changes without proper redirects
- Removal of high-performing pages
- Loss of on-page SEO elements
- Slow-loading new designs
- Poor mobile optimisation
Understanding these risks is the first step toward avoiding them.
Step 1: Audit Your Existing Website Before Redesign
Before touching design or layout, you must understand what is already working.
What to audit:
- Top-ranking pages
- Pages generating organic traffic
- Backlinks pointing to key URLs
- Existing keywords and content structure
This data becomes your SEO safety net during redesign. At Infowaves, every redesign starts with a full SEO and performance audit to ensure nothing valuable is lost.
Step 2: Keep URLs Stable or Use Proper Redirects
Changing URLs is one of the biggest reasons for ranking drops.
Best practices:
- Keep existing URLs unchanged wherever possible
- If changes are necessary, use 301 redirects
- Redirect old URLs to the most relevant new pages
- Avoid redirect chains
This ensures Google transfers authority from old pages to new ones without loss.
Step 3: Preserve and Improve Existing Content
Redesign does not mean deleting content. In fact, content preservation is critical.
Smart content approach:
- Retain high-performing content
- Improve readability and structure
- Update outdated information
- Add internal links
Infowaves redesigns focus on content-first design, ensuring visuals enhance content—not replace it.
Step 4: Improve Website Speed and Core Web Vitals
Google prioritizes fast, stable, and user-friendly websites. A redesign is the perfect opportunity to fix performance issues.
Key focus areas:
- Optimised images and code
- Mobile-first design
- Clean layouts without heavy scripts
- Improved Core Web Vitals
Our custom website designs are built for speed, scalability, and long-term performance.
Step 5: Maintain SEO Elements During Redesign
Many redesigns fail because basic SEO elements are overlooked.
Must-keep elements:
- Meta titles and descriptions
- Proper heading structure (H1, H2, H3)
- Image alt text
- Schema and internal linking
At Infowaves, SEO is integrated into the design process—not added later.
Step 6: Choose the Right Website Design Type
Different businesses require different website design approaches. A redesign is also a chance to choose the right structure.
Website design types we deliver:
- Corporate websites
- Business and service websites
- Ecommerce websites
- Portfolio and branding websites
- Landing pages for campaigns
- Multi-language websites
Selecting the right design type ensures better user engagement and conversion without SEO compromise.
Step 7: Test Everything Before Going Live
Before launch, testing is essential.
What to test:
- Page speed and mobile responsiveness
- Redirects and broken links
- Forms and CTAs
- Analytics and tracking
A controlled launch reduces ranking volatility and ensures smooth performance from day one.
Why Infowaves Is the Right Partner for SEO-Safe Redesigns
As a professional website design agency in Dubai, Infowaves understands that design and SEO must work together.
What sets us apart:
- SEO-first website redesign approach
- Experience with multiple website design types
- Custom designs aligned with business goals
- Focus on performance, usability, and scalability
We don’t just redesign websites—we protect digital assets built over years.
Your Next Step Forward
Redesigning an old website does not have to mean ranking losses. With the right planning, strategy, and execution, it can become a growth opportunity.
At Infowaves, we combine design excellence with SEO intelligence to deliver websites that look modern, perform fast, and stay visible on Google.
