How to Re-Do Your Website on WordPress
You just launched a stunning new website. Congrats! You worked hard to get it done, and it shows. Now, you want to upgrade and make it bigger and better. But, you’re not quite sure where to start. Should you re-purpose all the content from the previous site or should you start from scratch? Keep reading.
Let’s Start At The Start
It’s always good to build on a solid foundation. That’s why, before starting any major project, you should always take a look at the previous work. You can use the Google Search Console to easily check and see how people are finding your site. Type in your website’s URL (e.g., http://yoursite.com) and then enter “+site:yoursite.com” in the search box. This will give you a clear view of how many people are finding your website via organic searches versus paid ads or affiliate links (if you’re using those).
If you find that your organic traffic is on the decline, you’ll have to decide whether to keep the design of your previous site or to completely revamp it.
The Benefits Of Using The Same Content
There are clear advantages to reusing existing content for your new site. First, you don’t have to worry about sorting through tons of information to find the right piece of content for your needs. You can simply re-purpose what you have and add resources that will support your objectives.
Second, you can take advantage of the work that already went into developing content for your previous site. You can repurpose that content or use it as a jumping off point for your new site. Third, if you have a highly visual website with loads of infographics, mash-ups, or other data-heavy content, reusing that content can help you avoid a content overload. You won’t have to worry about creating extra content to meet your target audience’s needs. Finally, you can use the same SEO tactics for both sites to maintain SEO integrity and traffic. This will also help you avoid any content duplication, which can negatively impact your SEO.
The Drawbacks Of Using The Same Content
While there are many clear benefits to reusing content for your new website, there are also several drawbacks. First, it’s difficult to completely replicate the experience of your previous site. If you’re starting from scratch, you’ll have to take the time to learn UX design, functional programming, and SEO – not to mention figure out a way to monetize your content.
Second, if you have a very unique and customized experience on your previous site, it can be hard to replicate. For example, if you had a very specific landing page for a Lead Generation form, you’ll probably have to create a specific page for the same purpose on your new site. Third, aside from the content itself, you’ll also have to take into consideration your target audience and the devices they’re using to visit your site. Does the content on your previous site work well on a desktop computer or does it require a mobile phone display to view it all?
Fourth, if you have a very high traffic site, you’ll have to decide whether to retain the same domain name or to transfer it to the new site. If you decide to keep the domain name, you’ll need to set up web hosting with a domain name registrar (e.g., 1&1 or Google Domains) to ensure it gets renewed every time it expires. This is important, because when a domain name expires, it usually becomes harder to get it back. Fifth, if you decide to keep the existing content, you’ll have to make sure that it’s properly cited and archived so that it doesn’t get deleted from the search engine’s custody. Proper archiving takes a lot of work, but it’s worth it in the end.
The Options Are Endless
With the answers to the questions above in mind, you can start to see a clearer picture of how to proceed. Since they’re always better to take a calculated risk than to take advantage of an opportunity to make money, you can decide whether to keep the design of your previous site or to completely re-purpose it. The first step would be to create a detailed analysis of your website’s strengths and weaknesses, as well as your competitors’ websites. This will help you identify the purpose of your new site and set the right tone and style for it. After you have all the necessary information, you can start brainstorming ideas for your new site, whether you decide to keep the design of your previous site or to completely re-purpose it.
WordPress As A CMS
Another option would be to use WordPress as a Content Management System (CMS). A CMS allows you to create and manage content (e.g., blog posts) online without directly involving yourself in HTML code. WordPress is one of the most popular CMSes, which makes it very convenient for beginners to get Started with a CMS.
With a CMS, you don’t have to be an expert in HTML to make minor modifications to your website’s design. All you have to do is to log in to your WordPress account and make the changes you want to see on your site. From there, you can always go back and make more adjustments.
The Final Word
Ultimately, it’s all about risk and reward. Do you have the time, energy, and expertise to re-purpose all of your website’s content and design, or should you take the easy road and use the same content for your new site? As you can see, the answer depends on a lot of factors. But, as we’ve established, taking the easy road can sometimes have serious consequences. So, you’ll have to ask yourself: Does this new project have a chance of succeeding or failing? Is there a clear winner or loser in the scenario?