Website redesign in Montréal without losing Google

The 7 mistakes that sink a site after a redesign

None is about design. All are avoided if planned before launch.

Changing page addresses without redirects

The old addresses, known to Google and to the sites that link to you, land on a “not found” page. The visits they brought vanish.

Redirecting every old page to the home page

Google advises against it: it may treat these redirects as pages not found. Each old page must lead to the new page that replaces it.

Forgetting the test-site block

During the work, the site is often hidden from search engines (“noindex” or robots.txt). If nobody removes that block on launch day, the new site is invisible.

Deleting the text that brought people in

A “clean” design that removes service descriptions, neighbourhoods served or advice loses the searches that text answered.

Changing name, address or phone inconsistently

Your Google Maps listing relies on these three details. They must be identical on the site, the listing and directories.

Using temporary redirects

For Google, only permanent redirects (301 or 308, done by the server) clearly hand the old page over to the new one. A 302 or a JavaScript redirect leaves doubt.

Losing access when changing agency

Search Console, Google Analytics, domain name, Google listing: if they are in the old agency’s name, you lose history and control.

The 3-stage checklist

Tick as you go. The list stays on this device only.

The tool: your redirect plan

Paste your old and new addresses. The tool pairs each old page with the most similar new one; you check, then copy the rules for the agency or host.

1. Old addresses2. New addresses

Nothing is sent: everything happens in your browser.

Google Maps and local visibility in Montréal

A redesign does not touch your Google listing directly, but it can blur it.

Name, address, phone: identical everywhere

Same spelling on the new site, Google listing, Apple Maps, Bing, Yellow Pages and neighbourhood directories. A new phone line or an address written differently confuses the listing.

One page per location, at a stable address

If you have several locations (for example Plateau and Laval), each has its page with address, hours and map. Each location’s Google listing often points to that page: keep its address or redirect it.

Your Google reviews do not disappear

Reviews belong to the Business Profile, not the site. A redesign does not erase them. Only update the site link on the listing if it changes; Google reviews edits before applying them.

Neighbourhood and service pages

“Plumber Rosemont”, “caterer Mile End”: these local searches often land on specific pages. If the redesign merges them, keep their text and redirect each old page to the new one.

French and English: two distinct addresses

The Charter of the French language requires the French version to be available on terms at least as favourable (s. 52). For Google, each language has its own address (for example /en/), linked to the other with “hreflang” tags.

Where to update the site link: Google Business Profile · Apple Business Connect · Bing Places

What to require from the agency

To have written in the quote, before signing. Copy the e-mail and send it to every agency you consult.

Hello,

Before signing for the redesign of our site, can you confirm in writing that your quote includes the following points?

1. The inventory of current pages, and the list of those that bring visits or links.
2. A 301 redirect plan (old address → new address) delivered before launch, for me to approve.
3. The text of important pages kept, or its changes submitted for my approval.
4. Removal of the indexing block on launch day, and submission of the new sitemap in Search Console.
5. A 30-day follow-up included: fixing “not found” pages reported by Search Console.
6. Access (domain, hosting, Search Console, Analytics, Google listing) in my name.
7. A full copy of the old site handed over before it is shut down.
8. The redirects kept at least a year, including if hosting changes.

Thank you,

To check that the quote includes them: the grid to compare quotes and the 12 contract clauses.

Sources and limits

The rules in this guide come from Google’s official documentation, read on November 1, 2026. Search Console and platform menus may be renamed.

The tool suggests pairs from the words in the addresses: it does not read page content. Check every line. The rules produced are standard templates; your host or agency installs and tests them. This is not legal advice.

Frequently asked questions

Does a redesign always lower Google traffic?

Google says temporary fluctuations are normal, and that picking up the new addresses can take a few weeks or more. A drop that lasts beyond that almost always signals a problem: pages not found, text removed, a forgotten block.

How long should redirects be kept?

Google recommends at least a year, and suggests keeping them indefinitely for visitors with old links.

Will my Google Maps listing and reviews disappear?

No. Reviews belong to the Business Profile, not the site. Keep the same name, address and phone, and update the site link on the listing if it changes.

I am moving from WordPress to Shopify, Wix or Squarespace (or the reverse). Is it different?

Addresses almost always change (Shopify, for example, puts products under /products/ and pages under /pages/). So the redirect plan is essential. These platforms have their own redirect tool; the tool below prepares the list to enter there.

Should the domain change during the redesign?

Nothing requires it. If you do, redirect every page of the old domain, use Search Console’s “Change of address” tool and keep renewing the old domain.

How much does a redirect plan cost?

Agencies rarely bill it separately, and we found no reliable published prices. Ask for it to be written into the quote, with the 30-day follow-up.

Does the tool send my addresses anywhere?

No. The plan is prepared entirely in your browser; nothing is sent to AgencyVerity.

Website redesign in Montréal: keep your place on Google and Google Maps