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DTC Commerce Lab

What should a DTC URL migration brief preserve?

Author: DTC Commerce Lab · Editorial team · Updated: 2026-10-06

Who this guide helps

Merchants changing a site structure

The short answer

Inventory existing URLs and buyer workflows before changing routes. Redirect planning should cover product, help and campaign links, not only the homepage.

Practical workflow

Map old URLs to the most relevant new destination and identify pages that remain unchanged. Preserve titles, canonical intent, analytics and content where appropriate. Test internal links, product choices, policy routes and campaign parameters. Ask the developer how redirects and error responses will be verified.

What a useful handoff looks like

Require a before-and-after report with broken links, redirect chains and unresolved mappings. Submit or update sitemap records through the normal authorized process. Search engines decide indexing; a migration cannot guarantee unchanged rankings.

Mistakes to avoid

Do not redirect every removed page to the homepage or claim a migration is complete based on screenshots alone.

Working example: fields to record

FieldIllustrative entry — replace with your own facts
Old routeExisting product or help URL
New destinationRelevant replacement not generic home
Test evidenceResponse and link check

Add your own entries; the example is illustrative. Keep sensitive information private.

Download the blank worksheet

Sources & further checks

Official references are starting points for further checks, not approval of a specific case, product or project.

Editorial note

AI-assisted editorial guidance; not expert certification.

Original editorial guidance. Examples are illustrative, not client cases, measured outcomes or promised services.

Legal and health-related decisions require appropriately qualified local professionals. This site is an independent editorial resource, not a law firm or medical provider.