new site is ready, migrating from old site to new, when can i delete the old site, where do rankings go

we also deleted it after 2 weeks... ranking dropped heavily. like apparently some patience is needed

keep the 301 redirect for 6 months. check 'url parameters' in google console. track traffic.

I agree, and I'd like to emphasize that. Internal linking is the cheapest and most neglected task.

Merge instead of deleting; deleted content doesn't come back. Proven by experience.

Exactly, and not many people know this. Ranking is the result, search intent is the input. Look at intent first.

Start with a small trial; don't commit to everything at once.

I went through the same thing.

We experienced almost the exact same thing last year. When making decisions, write down the worst-case scenario too, not just the best.

Correct me if I'm wrong.

theres also a measurement aspect to this. ranking is the result search intent is the input... look at intent first.

i'm also curious if anyone does it differently.

I agree with this. Ranking is the result, search intent is the input. Look at intent first.

A page that answers one question works better than one touching on five topics. Proven by experience.

Could you elaborate on that? When we decide without measuring, we always end up in the same place.

Correct me if I'm wrong.

Three different views emerged, they all complement each other. Processes without records never improve because you don't know what to fix.

this is exactly what we experienced. ranking is the result, search intent is the input. look at intent first.

proven by experience.

Let me clarify the technical side. When making decisions, write down the worst-case scenario too not just the best.

If you post the result here, it will help others too.

Let me share what happened to me; it might be useful. Trying to do this alone is the most expensive way.

Discussing numbers without verifying the measurement setup is a waste of time.

Let me summarize what's been said so far. The answer varies greatly by industry; there is no one-size-fits-all rule.

Proven by experience.

I've been dealing with this for a long time. A page with low traffic might be reaching the right people. Look at where sales come from.

Just because everyone does it doesn't mean it's right.

I think differently. When making a decision, first look at what data you have on hand.

Good luck with that.

Great work. Discussing numbers without verifying the measurement setup is a waste of time.

Trying to do this alone is the most expensive way.

Let me share what happened to me; it might be useful. Internal linking is the cheapest and most neglected task.

Hope this helps.