Google Webmaster Dropped Traffic

[NaescentAdam]

Hi Guys,

I've recently implemented a new site design with a new url architecture etc..

I set up Google Webmaster tools in early March and went live with the new site on 2nd April. Since the 6th April (4 days after going live) I've notice a drop in impressions from 15,000 - 28,000 per day to 3,500 - 5,500 per day.

Now I'm kind of new to this, so after I cleaned up after my initial panic, I checked impressions vs. clicks. Impression are down 44% and clicks 31%. Not bad I thought but then again what if I dropped so far off the radar I never made an impression.

1. So first question: Are the number of impressions of a keyword independant of ranking. So if I rank #3,445,234th will I still see impressions listed but avg. position reflect #3,445,234?

So while I was thinking of asking these questions I checked Google Analytics for which I have just over 3 years of metrics. Compared to the past; overall traffic and organic traffic are the same if not 10-20% better.

2. So second: Am I missing something? Its a resort website so easter just ended and you would expect the traffic to match and drop, but such a sudden and dramitic drop in Webmaster Tools impressions does not match Google Analytics. Infact Organic traffic climbed slightly. Can anyone offer any insight?

Thanks,

Adam

[NaescentAdam]

Ahh phew, I was hoping it was something like that. I hate not knowing.

It was only yesterday that Google dropped most of the duplicate entry messages in the crawl error section. Fingers crossed it will finish itself.

Thanks for replying so quick,

Adam

[MatthewBarby]

Hi Adam,

I wouldn't worry too much here. What it probably is, is because you have set up new a new URL architecture, Google is now having to index those new pages into the search engine. As a result of this, you may not be appearing in the search engines for such a high spread of different keywords than you previously were.

Personally, I don't pay too much attention to impressions as I focus more on actual click-throughs to the website. If your Google Analytics data is showing that you are maintaining web traffic levels to the website and you are getting good traffic through the organic search listings then everything should be fine.

Give it a month or so and you will find that your total impressions will rise up again. Just keep an eye on web traffic and actual organic search visits for now. I would anticipate that you would get a slight drop for a new site in the short term anyway.

Hope this has cleared things up.

Matt.