Will Switching CMS Platforms Make My Tour Business Rankings Drop?
You’ve worked so hard to get your rankings where they are—your site is finally pulling its weight, and traffic is rolling in. But now, you’re thinking about switching marketing providers, and that might mean building your site from scratch on a new platform. Suddenly, your fear creeps in: will all that hard work vanish into thin air? Is switching platforms going to wipe out all your SEO success?
Actually, no! Quite the opposite.
Moving your site to another CMS—like going from Squarespace to WordPress, Wix to Hostinger, or WordPress to ResmarkWeb—doesn’t have to mean losing your rankings. When handled by an expert team, the transition can even increase your rankings.
In this blog, we’ll cover:
- Why rankings drop during platform migrations
- How to avoid losing rankings
- What to do if you experience a dip in rankings
- How switching platforms can boost your SEO
- Real-life examples of businesses that saw ranking improvements after switching to ResmarkWeb
- FAQs about switching CMS platforms
Let’s dive in!
Why you don’t want to drop in rankings
Your rankings are more than just a number; they’re the reason behind your online visibility. A high-ranking website means more traffic, more leads, and, ultimately, more direct bookings.
When your rankings drop, you lose:
- Organic Traffic: Fewer people find your site when searching for your tours.
- Trust: High rankings are like a stamp of approval from Google. A drop can make your business seem less authoritative.
- Revenue: Less traffic means fewer potential customers and less money.
So yeah, a drop in rankings isn’t ideal. But here’s the thing: it’s usually avoidable if you know what you’re doing.
How to avoid a drop in rankings when switching platforms
Switching platforms doesn’t have to be risky. Here’s how to make sure your rankings stay intact:
Map your URLs properly
When moving platforms, every page’s URL needs to be redirected to its new home. This is called a 301 redirect, and it tells Google, “Hey, this page moved here.” Done right, it’ll preserve your SEO juice and ensure your site doesn’t lose its visibility. At ResmarkWeb, we make this a top priority. Our team carefully maps out every URL so nothing gets lost in the shuffle.
Audit your current site
Before making any moves, understand what’s already working. What keywords are you ranking for? Which pages are pulling in the most traffic? It’s essential to replicate those wins on the new platform. The Resmark SEO team conducts a deep SEO audit for every client before migration. This includes identifying high-performing pages, analyzing keyword rankings, and uncovering hidden opportunities. Our SEO team—working full-time to optimize sites—takes a magnifying glass to every detail, knowing the risks of missing something critical.
Keep your content
Don’t throw away your blog posts, service pages, or any other content that’s already ranking. A new design doesn’t mean new content—keep what’s working and build from there. At ResmarkWeb, we ensure your valuable content not only transitions seamlessly but is also optimized for even better performance on the new platform.
Work with experts
This isn’t the time for DIY. A skilled team will know how to handle the transition, making sure you keep or improve your rankings. ResmarkWeb has an entire department dedicated to SEO, focusing solely on ensuring that your rankings are not just maintained but increasing over time. We tailor our approach to fit your unique needs. This is why so many of our clients see ranking boosts rather than drops when switching platforms.
What to do if you see a drop in rankings
From time to time, when switching website platforms, you might see a slight decrease in rankings. Although it’s not ideal, it does happen. This is why it’s so important to work with experts—they know exactly what to check for and how to address any issues that arise.
If you’ve come here because you’re in a situation where you switched platforms and see a drop, here’s what you can do:
- Monitor Your Analytics Use tools like Google Analytics and Google Search Console to track performance. Identify which pages are seeing drops and why. This data will give you a clear picture of what needs attention.
- Check Your Redirects Make sure all your old URLs are properly redirected to their new counterparts. Even one broken link can hurt your rankings significantly. A comprehensive redirect map should have been part of the migration plan, but it’s worth double-checking.
- Give It Time Remember, Google needs time to crawl your new site and adjust. If everything’s set up properly, your rankings should bounce back within a few weeks. Patience is key during this period.
- Review Technical SEO Check for any technical issues on the new platform, like missing sitemaps, slow load times, or improper site structure. These can all impact your rankings and should be addressed immediately.
- Ask for Help If your rankings don’t recover within a reasonable timeframe, it’s time to consult with SEO experts. At ResmarkWeb, we specialize in troubleshooting ranking drops after platform migrations. Our team can identify and fix the underlying issues to get your site back on track.
Why switching platforms can actually increase rankings
Switching platforms often gives you access to better tools and features that improve your site’s performance, like:
Faster Load Times
Search engines love fast sites, and so do users. If your current platform is bogged down by outdated technology or slow servers, switching to a faster CMS can lead to immediate improvements. Faster load times not only enhance the user experience but also signal to Google that your site is high quality, giving you a ranking boost.
Better Mobile Experience
With mobile-first indexing being Google’s priority, having a mobile-friendly site isn’t optional anymore—it’s essential. Platforms like WordPress and Shopify offer responsive design capabilities that ensure your site looks great and performs well on all devices. If your current platform isn’t mobile-optimized, switching to one that is can work wonders for your SEO and user engagement.
Enhanced Functionality
Modern CMS platforms often come with advanced SEO tools, better templates, and more customization options. These features can help you fine-tune your site for both search engines and users. From built-in schema markup to improved site navigation, upgrading your platform can give you a competitive edge.
Real client success stories
At ResmarkWeb, we’ve seen countless clients achieve significant ranking improvements after switching platforms. Here are just a few real examples:
All Ways Adventure
Launch Date: September 27, 2024
Since launching on ResmarkWeb, All Ways Adventure has seen steady increases in organic traffic and keyword visibility. Their improved site structure, optimized content, and enhanced user experience have contributed to higher rankings across key search terms.
Whitewater Voyages
Launch Date: October 31, 2024
Shortly after their migration, Whitewater Voyages experienced a noticeable uptick in organic search visibility. By optimizing their tour pages, improving load speeds, and ensuring proper URL redirects, their site continues to attract more qualified traffic.
Passage Key Dolphin Tours
Launch Date: November 1, 2024
The migration to ResmarkWeb provided Passage Key Dolphin Tours with a solid SEO foundation. Their keyword rankings have steadily climbed, leading to a consistent increase in organic traffic. Their mobile-friendly design and faster load times have also contributed to improved user engagement.
Croydon in The Mountains
Launch Date: July 22, 2024
Since transitioning to ResmarkWeb, Croydon in The Mountains has seen a positive growth trend in both organic traffic and keyword rankings. Their enhanced website structure and SEO-focused content strategy have positioned them for long-term success.
The Growth Continues
As these examples show, switching platforms doesn’t mean sacrificing rankings—when done right, it can actually boost SEO performance. The upward trends in organic traffic and keyword rankings for these businesses are a testament to the power of a well-executed migration strategy. These numbers will continue to grow over time as their sites gain more authority and visibility.
Why you might want to switch platforms—even if you’re ranking well
If your site is ranking well, why risk switching platforms? Here are a few reasons:
You Need More Features
Maybe your current platform has reached its limits. As your business grows, you might need features that your platform simply doesn’t offer. For example, better integration with CRM tools, enhanced e-commerce functionality, or more flexibility in site design. A new platform can open the door to tools and features that support your growth and make managing your online presence easier.
Performance Issues
If your site is slow or not mobile-friendly, you’re not just losing traffic—you’re losing credibility. Studies show that users expect sites to load in under three seconds, and a poor mobile experience can drive them away instantly. Switching to a more modern, optimized platform can fix these issues and improve your user experience—which search engines reward with better rankings.
Scalability
Your current platform might be fine for now, but what about the future? If you’re planning to scale your business, you need a site that can grow with you. Newer website builders are able to handle increased traffic and more complex functionalities without missing a beat.
And if your site isn’t ranking? Well, that’s all the more reason to switch. A better platform can give you the fresh start you need to climb the rankings, offering the tools and flexibility to optimize your site properly.
Things that can cause a drop in rankings
To avoid any surprises, here are the common culprits behind ranking drops during a platform switch:
Broken Redirects
One of the most critical steps during a platform migration is setting up 301 redirects for all your URLs. If even one redirect is missed or broken, it can create a disconnect for search engines and users, resulting in lost traffic and rankings. This step requires meticulous planning and testing.
Duplicate Content
Duplicate content can occur accidentally during a platform migration. For example, if old pages aren’t properly removed or if the new platform generates duplicate pages. Search engines penalize duplicate content, so it’s vital to conduct a thorough content audit post-migration.
Lost Metadata
Meta titles and descriptions are crucial for SEO, as they help search engines understand the content on your site. If these aren’t transferred correctly during the migration, it can impact how your pages rank. Always double-check that your metadata has been carried over to the new platform.
Technical Issues
Platform migrations can sometimes introduce technical problems, like broken links, missing XML sitemaps, or incorrect site structure. These issues make it harder for search engines to crawl and index your site, which can negatively affect rankings. Regular technical audits can catch and resolve these problems quickly.
FAQs
Will I lose all my rankings when switching platforms?
Not if the migration is done correctly. With proper planning, redirects, and SEO audits, you can maintain or even improve your rankings.
How long does it take for rankings to stabilize after switching?
Most sites see rankings stabilize within a few weeks, but it can take up to 1-3 months for full recovery and potential improvements.
What is a 301 redirect, and why is it important?
A 301 redirect tells search engines that a page has permanently moved to a new URL. It ensures that any SEO value from the old page is passed to the new one.
Can switching platforms improve my SEO?
Yes! A new platform can offer faster load times, better mobile optimization, and enhanced SEO tools, all of which can boost your rankings.
What happens if I see a drop in rankings after switching?
Don’t panic. Monitor your analytics, check for technical issues, and consult with experts to identify and resolve any problems.
How do I know if my current platform is holding me back?
If your site is slow, not mobile-friendly, or lacks advanced features you need to grow, it’s time to consider a switch.
Why should I choose ResmarkWeb for my platform migration?
We specialize in seamless migrations that maintain and improve rankings. With a dedicated SEO team and proven results, we ensure your site transitions smoothly and performs better than ever.
The bottom line
Switching platforms doesn’t have to be scary or result in lost rankings. When done correctly, it’s an opportunity to improve your site, your SEO, and your overall business performance. Just make sure you plan ahead, work with experts, and monitor your progress along the way.
If you’re considering a platform switch, reach out to us!! We’ve helped countless clients make the leap without sacrificing rankings—and we can do the same for you!
Ready to make the switch? Let’s get started!
