Inventory the Current Website Before Changing It
Create a list of current pages, files, forms, campaigns, integrations, embedded tools, and important external links. Record which URLs receive traffic, have backlinks, support active programs, or appear in printed materials and communications.
The inventory is not a commitment to move everything. It gives the team enough context to decide what should be kept, improved, combined, redirected, archived, or removed without losing something important by accident.
- Public pages and downloadable files
- Forms, confirmations, and automated emails
- Donation, event, store, and appointment links
- Pet listing and application connections
- Analytics, search, and conversion history
Map Old URLs to Their Best New Destination
When a useful page moves, create a permanent redirect from the old URL to the closest relevant new page. Do not send every retired page to the homepage. A precise redirect helps visitors and search engines understand where the content went.
Keep a migration map that includes the old URL, new URL, action, owner, and testing status. Review links in emails, social profiles, partner sites, advertising, QR codes, and printed materials that may continue sending people to the previous structure.
Rebuild the Actions, Not Only the Pages
A rescue website is a network of actions: view animals, apply, donate, foster, volunteer, register, shop, contact, and access resources. Each action needs a clear entry point, working form or integration, confirmation, routing rule, and staff owner.
Test those journeys on real mobile and desktop layouts. Confirm that required fields are understandable, selected animals or opportunities carry into forms when possible, payment and confirmation steps work, and internal notifications reach the correct team.
Prepare the Team and the Search Foundation for Launch
Before launch, review page titles, descriptions, headings, canonical URLs, structured data, image text alternatives, sitemap entries, crawler rules, redirects, analytics, and search verification. Make sure draft or incomplete areas are not accidentally presented as finished public pages.
Train the people who will update animals, programs, stories, events, resources, and urgent notices. Provide clear ownership and a launch checklist so content does not become outdated simply because the new system works differently from the old one.
Put the idea to work
Build a clearer system for your mission.
ARC can help your team turn strategy into practical journeys, content, and connected tools.