If your site traffic dropped right after a redesign, you’re not alone. It can feel like a big letdown, especially when the new site looks better and runs smoother. But when rankings slide, the problem usually isn't with the design, it’s often tied to search engine optimization.

These kinds of dips are more common than people realize. Search engines rely on structure, content, and consistency to understand what your site is about. When too much changes at once, they need time to re-learn how to evaluate it. We’ve worked through this process before and know where to start digging when performance takes a hit. Here’s how we sort through what changed and how we help websites recover.

Review What Changed During the Redesign

Before jumping into fixes, we always step back and take a close look at what actually changed. Sometimes it’s a new design layout. Other times it’s deeper, like restructuring content or changing links. Those small shifts can have a big impact.

• Compare the new site’s URL structure with the old one. If some pages were renamed or removed entirely, search engines may be hitting dead ends.

• Go over the content on key pages. Was anything removed? Did the language change a lot? If certain high-performing pages were simplified too much or buried under extra clicks, rankings can slip.

• Check internal links. If navigation menus were changed or inline links were reduced, search engines may not be crawling the site as effectively as before.

A side-by-side comparison helps reveal gaps faster. It’s not just about what was added, it’s about what might have gone missing or moved.

Make Sure All Pages Are Getting Indexed

Once we understand what changed, it's time to check if search engines are still seeing the right pages. This part often gets skipped, but it can make or break traffic recovery.

• Resubmit the XML sitemap to your search engine accounts. This lets them get a fresh look at the whole structure.

• Use index coverage reports to find pages that might be blocked or skipped. These reports flag basic errors that stop crawlers from accessing parts of your site.

• Look out for signs like missing pages caused by noindex tags, awkward redirects that loop back, or restrictive robots.txt settings.

Sometimes a redesign adds more than visuals. It can include leftover code or rules that stop search engines from seeing content. We go through those settings one by one to make sure the site is wide open where it should be.

Rebuild SEO Signals That Got Lost

Site redesigns often shuffle your content and structure, which can disconnect important elements that built trust with search engines. Rebuilding those search engine optimization signals takes time, but certain steps can speed that up.

• Redirect backlinks if high-traffic pages were moved or renamed. Strong external links lose their value if they now lead to error pages.

• Restore missing title tags and meta descriptions. Even if the new layout looks cleaner, cutting these elements can undercut relevance.

• Reintroduce keywords naturally across pages. We don’t stuff pages, but we do make sure important terms still show up in places where search engines (and people) expect to find them.

Small edits, made on purpose, can rebuild trust faster than starting from scratch. The clearer we make each page’s purpose, the easier it is to rank again.

Rethink the User Experience and Site Speed

Even if content is clean and keywords are in place, poor site experience can stall rankings. That includes things like confusing menus or long load times, especially on mobile devices.

• Check how easy it is to get around the site. Are menus using plain, recognizable labels? Can someone find what they need within one or two clicks?

• Test how the site performs on mobile. Does it lag? Is everything easy to read on a smaller screen? Search engines now factor mobile performance into rankings directly.

• Compress image file sizes and reduce extra code where possible. When a site loads faster, it keeps users on the page longer, and that helps rankings recover.

We aim for simplicity. Clean layouts, fast pages, and clear navigation do more than look good. They tell search engines that your site is worth sending people to.

Track Progress and Stay Patient

Once the fixes are in place, the best thing to do is stay consistent and give it time. Search engines don’t update rankings overnight. But steady, smart changes send the right signals over time.

• Watch analytics for signs that traffic is bouncing back. Some pages may rebound before others. That’s normal.

• Try minor tweaks, like replacing headlines or changing button placement. Even small updates can encourage better clicks and engagement.

• Be patient. It often takes a few weeks for changes to show up in rankings. During that window, we keep a close eye on what’s working and what’s still lagging.

Recovery isn’t always fast, but with the right data and a clear plan, it’s far from out of reach.

Keep Your Site Moving in the Right Direction


A redesign opens the door for growth if we treat it as a fresh start, not just visually, but structurally. The key is not getting stuck waiting for fixes to work. We focus on adjusting what we can, learning from what we see, and staying on top of updates.

Turning Redesign Setbacks Into SEO Wins

By simplifying the site structure, fixing crawl issues, reinforcing search engine optimization signals, and improving performance, we give new designs the support they need to succeed long-term. Oddball Creative offers full SEO audit, content review, link strategy, and ongoing search engine optimization services to support maximum site health after a redesign, as detailed on our SEO services page.

The better we align with what users and search engines expect, the stronger the bounce back will be.

Experiencing a drop in rankings after a site redesign can be stressful. Getting your website back on track often requires more than visual changes, it’s about refining structure, copy, and user clarity. Our team at Oddball Creative prioritizes a people-first approach while strengthening the technical elements of search engine optimization to help your site perform better long term. We analyze what changed and support you every step of the way with strategy updates and ongoing site reviews. Ready for next steps? Reach out today to start a conversation about your website’s needs.