Map by relevance
Pair each valuable old URL with the closest useful destination. Do not redirect every removed page to the homepage. Record cases where there is no equivalent and agree how those requests should be handled.
Migration URL mapping
Map source URLs to their destinations and record the redirect acceptance status.
Test the destination, not just the rule
Check that the first URL reaches the intended page, avoids unnecessary chains and ends with the expected response. Review important page content as well as status codes. A redirect can work technically while sending the customer somewhere unhelpful.
Keep a recovery plan
Assign ownership for redirect changes and retain the original map. Monitor launch errors, landing-page behaviour and search reports. Fix mapping mistakes through a controlled process and document the reason for each correction.
Put the guidance to work
Capture your starting point, assign an owner to the next action, and decide what evidence will confirm that it worked.
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