Best SEO Checklist
ONE FOCUSED ACTION

Test priority redirects manually before DNS cutover.

Domain migration SEO

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    Why this matters

    Manual testing ensures critical URLs redirect correctly, avoiding unexpected issues.

    A STARTING-POINT EXAMPLE

    Hypothetical standard operating procedure

    Adapt this example to your site, access, tools, and change process. It is our suggested procedure, informed by the sources below.

    1. Select representative old URLs including homepage, top blog posts, and product pages.
    2. Use tools like curl or online redirect checkers to test redirect status and location.
    3. Confirm HTTP status 301 and no intermediate redirects occur.
    4. Document test results and fix issues before migration.
    5. Repeat tests post-migration for verification.

    Watch for

    Untested redirects may cause 404s or redirect loops harming SEO and UX.

    Definition of done

    All key redirects return HTTP 301 and lead directly to correct canonical new URLs.

    Sources & attribution

    1. Domain Migration Checklist | ChecklistLab ↗
    2. The Domain SEO Migration Checklist: Moving Domains Without Losing Rankings | DomAvail ↗

    Original checklist wording and example SOP by Best SEO Checklist, using source-grounded AI assistance. Editorial contact: Ted Kubaitis, @tedkubaitis on Teams. Check current source guidance before implementation.