When migrating a WordPress site or redesigning its structure, URLs often change. Failing to update these URLs in your Elementor pages can lead to broken links, reduced SEO performance, and a poor user experience. Knowing how to efficiently update old URLs Elementor ensures that your site remains functional, SEO-friendly, and user-focused after migration.
This guide covers how to identify and update outdated URLs in Elementor, tools to streamline the process, and best practices for post-migration adjustments.
Why Updating Old URLs Is Crucial
Avoid Broken Links
Broken links frustrate users and negatively impact your site’s credibility.
Maintain SEO Rankings
Outdated URLs can lead to 404 errors, decreasing your rankings on search engines.
Enhance User Experience
Ensuring that URLs point to the correct locations improves navigation and engagement.
Align with Site Changes
Reflect your site’s updated structure or branding across all pages.
For additional tips on website maintenance, visit Moz’s Guide to Site Migration.
Common Scenarios for Updating URLs
Website Migration
Changing domains or hosting providers often requires updating all internal URLs.
SSL Installation
Transitioning from HTTP to HTTPS necessitates updating links across your Elementor pages.
Structural Changes
Reorganizing your website or renaming pages results in outdated URLs that need fixing.
Rebranding
Adopting a new domain or brand identity requires updating URLs to align with the new direction.
Tools for Updating Old URLs
Better Search Replace
Better Search Replace simplifies database-wide search and replace operations, perfect for Elementor pages.
Elementor Finder
Elementor’s built-in Finder tool helps you quickly locate pages containing outdated URLs for manual updates.
Redirection
Redirection helps manage 301 redirects to ensure that users and search engines find the updated URLs.
Steps to Update Old URLs in Elementor
Identify Outdated URLs
- Use tools like Screaming Frog or Ahrefs to crawl your site and find broken or outdated links.
- Compile a list of old URLs and their updated counterparts.
Backup Your Website
Before making significant changes, back up your site using plugins like UpdraftPlus.
Use Better Search Replace for Bulk Updates
- Install and activate Better Search Replace.
- Enter the old URL in the Search For field and the updated URL in the Replace With field.
- Select your database tables, including Elementor’s
postmetaandpoststables. - Preview the changes to verify accuracy.
- Apply the changes across your site.
Update URLs Manually in Elementor
- Open the Elementor editor for each affected page.
- Locate outdated URLs in widgets, buttons, or dynamic links.
- Replace them with the updated URLs.
Test Changes
Use a link checker tool like Broken Link Checker to ensure all URLs are updated correctly.
Optimizing Updated URLs for SEO
Use 301 Redirects
For any remaining outdated URLs, set up 301 redirects to point to the new URLs, preserving SEO value.
Include Keywords
Incorporate relevant keywords into your updated URLs for improved search rankings. Example:
- Old URL:
example.com/page1 - Updated URL:
example.com/seo-tips-for-beginners
Optimize Anchor Text
Ensure the anchor text linking to the updated URLs is descriptive and includes target keywords.
Update Sitemap
Regenerate your XML sitemap using plugins like Yoast SEO or Rank Math, and submit it to Google Search Console.
Enhancing User Experience
Test Internal Links
Navigate your site as a user would, ensuring that all internal links lead to the correct pages.
Update Navigation Menus
If URLs in your header or footer menus have changed, update them in Elementor’s Theme Builder.
Refresh Button Links
Check buttons across your site to ensure they direct users to the correct destinations.
Fix Images and Media
Update the URLs of images or embedded media that may have been affected by migration or rebranding.
Avoiding Common Mistakes
Skipping Backups
Failing to back up your site before updating URLs can result in lost data or functionality issues.
Missing Redirects
Not setting up 301 redirects for old URLs can cause traffic loss and 404 errors.
Overlooking Dynamic Content
Dynamic links in Elementor templates or custom fields may not update automatically.
Ignoring Mobile Testing
Ensure updated URLs work correctly on mobile devices by testing in Elementor’s responsive mode.
Real-Life Examples
E-commerce Store
An online store migrated to a new domain and used Better Search Replace to update thousands of product page URLs, maintaining its SEO rankings and user trust.
Corporate Website
A consulting firm transitioning to HTTPS updated all internal links in Elementor templates, improving site security and SEO performance.
Blog
A travel blogger updated old blog post URLs to reflect SEO-optimized titles, boosting organic traffic and improving click-through rates.
Monitoring Performance After Updates
Analyze Traffic
Use Google Analytics to monitor traffic to updated pages and ensure no significant drop occurs.
Check Search Rankings
Evaluate keyword rankings using tools like SEMrush to confirm that updated URLs are indexed correctly.
Track Crawl Errors
Use Google Search Console to identify any crawl errors or issues with updated URLs.
Conclusion
Updating old URLs in Elementor is essential for maintaining functionality, SEO performance, and user satisfaction after a site migration or redesign. By leveraging tools like Better Search Replace and Elementor Finder, you can efficiently update URLs across your site and ensure a seamless experience for users and search engines.
For additional resources, explore Rank Math for SEO optimization or consult Moz’s Guide for migration best practices. Keeping your URLs up-to-date ensures your website remains robust, competitive, and aligned with your business goals.