SEO before Replatforming - Good Idea?

[Colbys]

Hello,

We are in the midst of a major replatforming of our current website, the process will take roughly six to nine more months to complete.

We are completing revamping our site - the new site will be on the same domain, but almost everything is changing - from the category structure, hierarchy, architecture, different regions on separate URLs will not be on the same with a currency converter, URLs - you name it, we're changing it.

There has been internal discussions for some time on whether we should hire an outside firm to help us with our SEO.  I have a lot of experience in SEO but my role has changed recently and we have had trouble filling my previous role.  We are not looking for help with the replatforming project, we have a great plan in place to preserve link equity, tags, etc.  We are looking for general SEO help as if replatforming wasn't on the table.

My question is, is this smart to do before replatforming?  In my opinion, it's not.  Our new site will have completely different URLs and will be so dramatically different.

We could have someone do some keyword research, but we have already done the bulk of it.  We have thought about and researched keywords for every new page we are creating.  But from a technical SEO perspective, I don't see the point in getting someone.

In addition, we just had a major SEO audit done last year and we completed the tasks from that audit on the current site; however, most of the changes were technical, not content based.

Thoughts?

[Bryan_Loconto]

I agree with you KelG. I don't think it would be wise to do since "everything" will be changing. You may end up wasting a lot of time and creating more work once the site launches. You may need to redo a LOT. We like to work SMART, not HARD!

We are working on a similar project here and have been compiling all the data, strategies, ideas, etc. so that once the overhaul is complete we can then begin to implement. This way we are not just going through the motions.

However, as I'm sure you already know, there are other aspects you can focus on during this time like social media and whatnot. But that may get tricky too if you are linking to the site since the URL's may ultimately change.

Good luck tackling this mongoose!!

[Chris.Menke]

KelG,

I'd say the answer to that depends on your specific immediate goals.  There must be a reason you are discussing having SEO done before the replatforming--what is that reason.  You may very well have a relatively short term issue that SEO can solve for you within a budget that makes sense.  But then again, you may not.  In order to answer, I think that objective would need to be made clear.

[BruceA]

Agree with both reponces.

What is the imperative to have SEO done now? If you are in a seasonal retail business makes sence, but if you are not, what is the reason for this need now?

Bruce