Are you thinking of giving your business a digital makeover? At Gekkoshot this is our forte. A large number of our clients are eager to enhance their companies’ online presence and look. One major concern, though, that we hear all the time is, “Will I lose my hard-earned traffic, rankings, or customers during this transition?”
Well here’s the good news: rebranding does not imply starting again, especially when it comes to your SEO achievements. Consider giving your business a new look and feel. You are evolving, not deleting.
Even if your organisation is going through a major shift, you don’t have to worry about retaining the SEO gold you’ve previously acquired. We’ve included some practical suggestions and strategies to assist you sail through your rebranding adventure. What’s our goal you ask? To ensure that your website’s makeover has the least impact on your rankings and SEO, allowing you to maintain your strong digital presence.
Redesign or Rebrand?
If you’re finding that you are at a crossroads with your business’s online presence: and you’re not sure whether to go for a makeover (a website redesign), or to opt for a complete identity shift (a rebrand) then read on for some tips our team of experts have provided.
When you are redesigning your website you want the brand’s essence to remain intact. When you redesign your website, it is like giving your house a modern facelift. The essence of your brand remains the same, but you are improving its features and making it look more contemporary. This may mean that you need to study your rivals, rewrite some of your blogs or copy on your site, optimising SEO and digging real deep into what makes your brand different.
Conversely, rebranding is similar to moving into a completely new home with a new perspective. This doesn’t have to be a whole site redo but instead could be something as simple as updating your logo, switching to a new domain name, or altering your colour scheme. This is frequently referred to as a “brand refresh.” Occasionally, though, there are needs for a total makeover, including a new name, logo, website, visual identity, and messaging. It’s about welcoming a new, exciting persona and bidding adieu to your previous brand image.
Maintaining your online presence, or SEO, is crucial in both situations, regardless of whether you choose a makeover or a minor tweak. Consequently, keep in mind that SEO is your reliable compass, helping you navigate these exciting changes, whether you’re just changing the curtains or moving to a new neighbourhood.
Does Rebranding Mean Saying Goodbye to SEO? Not Necessarily
So you’re considering rebranding, but there’s one big question: will it affect your SEO? It’s similar to wondering how moving to a new neighbourhood will affect your commute. What’s the answer? It depends on how you handle the transition.
Rebranding can cause havoc in the SEO world, but it’s not all bad news. The trick lies in how you steer the ship. Rebranding, when done correctly, can improve your SEO.
Let us break it down a bit:
- Changing Products or Services: If you change what you offer, it will impact your SEO. New products or services require new keywords, which could affect how and where you appear in search results.
- Switching Up Images: Updating images has an impact on SEO in addition to aesthetics. The titles and alt texts associated with new images have a significant impact on how relevant your pages appear to search engines.
- Moving Locations: If your company is relocating, it will generate interest in local searches. You’ll want to make sure your new location is prominent in your SEO campaign.
- New Domain Name: Choosing a new domain is like getting a new address—it takes time to build that trust.
- URL Changes: Tinkering with your site’s URLs? Be prepared for some shifts in your SEO landscape. Keywords in your URLs weigh in on your rankings, so any changes here can create ripples.
- Don’t forget about 301 redirects. They’re essential in a rebrand, kind of like forwarding mail from your old address. But it’s important to remember that new pages might take a while to match the SEO value of the old ones.
In short, rebranding is a dance with SEO – it’s about making moves that keep your rhythm going without missing a beat.
What Happens to Your SEO When You Change Your Company Name?
Changing your company name is a bit like getting a new nickname; it’s exciting, but it also means you have to reintroduce yourself. In the world of SEO, this reintroduction is key. With a well-thought-out strategy, changing your company name can actually be a smooth transition for your SEO.
First things first: Picking a new name is a bit like choosing a new outfit. It needs to be catchy, memorable, and most importantly, easy to find in the vast wardrobe of the internet. You want a name that not only resonates with your audience but also stands out in search results.
When brainstorming new names, think about their ‘searchability’. It’s like scouting the competition on a sports field. You want to avoid names that are already in play, especially ones that are scoring high in your industry. Standing out is the name of the game here.
Here’s a handy tip: use Incognito Mode in your browser when you’re researching potential names. This gives you a fresh, unbiased look at what’s already out there. Google your top name choices and see what pops up. Are you up against a lot of competition with a similar name? Are there any local businesses that might get mixed up with yours?
Remember, your goal is to pick a name that shines in your specific market. It’s about being a one-of-a-kind star in your local sky, not just another light in a crowded constellation.
Sprucing Up Your Content
Revamping the content on your website during a rebrand is kind of like redecorating your business. It’s a chance to infuse new energy, bring in fresh ideas, and make sure your space (or in this case, your website) feels inviting and up-to-date. It’s not just about changing things up; it’s about creating a space that resonates and feels alive.
Keeping It Fresh and Relevant: You wouldn’t want your business to look like it’s stuck in the past, right? Similarly, your website content needs to stay fresh and relevant. Letting it age doesn’t make the best impression, especially when you are wanting to gain potential clients or customers.
As you navigate through your rebrand, think of it as rejuvenating your website. It’s about being thoughtful and intentional with your updates. You’re not just throwing out the old for the sake of new; you’re carefully selecting what stays, what goes, and what gets a new lease on life. Just like a well-decorated room makes you feel at home, a well-refreshed website can create a welcoming and engaging space for your visitors and search engines.
Start Your Rebranding Journey with Confidence
Consider rebranding your firm as an adventure rather than a project. It’s a route paved with opportunity to reinvent, update, and revitalise your brand’s image. However, as with any great trip, there will be certain uncertainties, particularly in terms of keeping your hard-earned SEO ranks.
At Gekkoshot, we understand these challenges and are here to guide you every step of the way. Consider us your trusted companions on this rebranding journey. Our approach is all about personalisation. We conduct extensive research to determine what distinguishes your brand and tailor our strategies to your company’s objectives. From the initial brainstorming to the final reveal of your refreshed brand, our team is there to provide insights, support, and expertise.
Our commitment is to not only preserve your SEO achievements but also to enhance them. We stay ahead of the latest trends and use cutting-edge techniques to ensure your rebranded website continues to rank well and of course attract your audience and even find new customers.
Choosing us means you’re opting for a partner who’s as invested in your rebranding success as you are. Ready to hit the ground running? We will make a point of ensuring your digital presence remains unmatched against your competitors. Reach out to a member of our team today, and let’s make your brand’s transformation a story worth telling.