Changing Wordpress Themes

Steve Holmes · 04-06-2011, 09:56 AM

Does anyone have any evidence or enlightening information on whether changing the theme of a website effects seo rankings in Google?

If you keep the same content but move a few things around within a new theme, does it have much effect?

Steve

Brian Alaway · 04-06-2011, 12:03 PM

If your permalinks don't change then there shouldn't be much affect. Even if they do, as long as you use a redirect, the affect should be minimal. Just make sure your titles and meta tags remain in tact.

rain21 · 04-06-2011, 12:21 PM

I agree with "Brian Alaway". Just don't change the permalinks

VegasGreg · 04-06-2011, 03:22 PM

It kind of depends on which themes you are using.

(Examples: some might use H1s and H2s for post titles in certain areas and some are different. Some may have a lot of junk code behind the scene that interferes. Theme load times. Sponsor links (juice leaks)...etc)

But from one good theme to another, if the basic structure is the same, all your page/post links should stay the same. If you are using an SEO plugin, keep all the settings the same too and that info will transfer right along.

I recently switched themes on one of my sites and I have been noticing increased traffic and CTR, so sometimes theme settings and layouts can play a good roll.

Abledragon · 04-06-2011, 05:40 PM

Changing your theme can affect search results, because page load times and the quality of coding and architecture are becoming more important.

So if you go (for example) from a poorly coded free theme to a superbly coded premium theme you would immediately see faster load times and, over time, improved search results rank.

More details here:

Can Changing Your Theme Affect Your Search Result Placings? | WealthyDragon

Cheers,

Martin.

04-06-2011, 09:56 AM	#1
Steve Holmes www.Backlinkdaemon.com War Room Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 654 Thanks: 132 Thanked 238 Times in 73 Posts	Changing Wordpress Themes Does anyone have any evidence or enlightening information on whether changing the theme of a website effects seo rankings in Google? If you keep the same content but move a few things around within a new theme, does it have much effect? Steve
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04-06-2011, 12:03 PM	#2
Brian Alaway Advanced Warrior War Room Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Florida, USA. Posts: 589 Thanks: 34 Thanked 124 Times in 108 Posts Social Networking	Re: Changing Wordpress Themes If your permalinks don't change then there shouldn't be much affect. Even if they do, as long as you use a redirect, the affect should be minimal. Just make sure your titles and meta tags remain in tact.

04-06-2011, 12:21 PM	#3
rain21 I'm the Apophis Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Russia Posts: 702 Thanks: 12 Thanked 29 Times in 28 Posts Social Networking	Re: Changing Wordpress Themes I agree with "Brian Alaway". Just don't change the permalinks
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04-06-2011, 03:22 PM	#4
VegasGreg Greg Schueler War Room Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 2,135 Thanks: 202 Thanked 414 Times in 297 Posts Social Networking Contact Info	Re: Changing Wordpress Themes It kind of depends on which themes you are using. (Examples: some might use H1s and H2s for post titles in certain areas and some are different. Some may have a lot of junk code behind the scene that interferes. Theme load times. Sponsor links (juice leaks)...etc) But from one good theme to another, if the basic structure is the same, all your page/post links should stay the same. If you are using an SEO plugin, keep all the settings the same too and that info will transfer right along. I recently switched themes on one of my sites and I have been noticing increased traffic and CTR, so sometimes theme settings and layouts can play a good roll.
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04-06-2011, 05:40 PM	#5
Abledragon Advanced Warrior Join Date: May 2007 Location: Hong Kong. Posts: 982 Thanks: 3 Thanked 181 Times in 159 Posts Social Networking Contact Info	Re: Changing Wordpress Themes Changing your theme can affect search results, because page load times and the quality of coding and architecture are becoming more important. So if you go (for example) from a poorly coded free theme to a superbly coded premium theme you would immediately see faster load times and, over time, improved search results rank. More details here: Can Changing Your Theme Affect Your Search Result Placings? \| WealthyDragon Cheers, Martin.
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