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Monitoring the SEO performance of your website is crucial during and after migration. Google Search Console (GSC) provides valuable metrics that help you understand how your site is performing in search results and identify issues that may affect your rankings.
Understanding Google Search Console Metrics
Google Search Console offers a range of metrics that are essential for tracking your site’s SEO health. These metrics include impressions, clicks, average position, click-through rate (CTR), and index coverage. During a migration, monitoring these metrics helps you gauge the impact of your changes and ensures your site maintains or improves its search visibility.
Key Metrics to Track During Migration
Impressions and Clicks
Impressions indicate how often your site appears in search results, while clicks show how many users actually visit your site. Tracking these metrics before, during, and after migration reveals changes in visibility and user engagement.
Average Position
This metric shows the average ranking of your pages in search results. A drop in position may signal issues with indexing or relevance, while improvements indicate successful optimization.
Click-Through Rate (CTR)
CTR measures the percentage of impressions that result in clicks. Changes in CTR can highlight issues with meta descriptions, titles, or relevance of your pages after migration.
Monitoring Index Coverage and Errors
Index coverage reports identify pages that are indexed, excluded, or have errors. During migration, it’s vital to ensure that your important pages are correctly indexed and that errors are resolved promptly to prevent loss of traffic.
Identifying and Fixing Errors
Errors such as crawl issues, server errors, or redirect problems can hinder your site’s visibility. Regularly reviewing the coverage report helps you fix issues quickly and maintain search presence.
Best Practices for Tracking SEO During Migration
- Set a baseline by recording metrics before migration.
- Monitor key metrics frequently during the migration process.
- Use annotations in GSC to mark migration dates for better analysis.
- Compare pre- and post-migration data to assess impact.
- Address errors and issues promptly to minimize traffic loss.
Consistent monitoring of Google Search Console metrics provides insights into your migration’s success and helps you make informed decisions to optimize your SEO strategy.