Changing Wordpress Permalink Structure, 301s, and Possibility of Rank Loss?

[pepsimoz]

I have to change the permalink structure in wordpress, as using /%postname%/ in conjunction with a couple thousand pages triggers verbose rewrite rules, which further triggers about 5,000 requests per page load. The permalink structure must change as wordpress development probably won't change this in the near future.

Now, changing the permalink structure worries me quite a bit, as about 25% of my traffic is attributed to my blog posts -- the rest is covered through CMS-like-use of pages (75%).

• blog posts will change permalink/url structure, pages won't
• The website is very respected in my niche and has quite a few links going to most of my posts and pages, as well as the homepage
• I've noticed in the last year that anything I post starts ranking on page 1 of Google for very competitive kws in 1-3 days, often with top 3 rankings
• PR4 / decent Alexa / Moz ranks not too shabby either / quality content / decent social media linking (mainly Facebook) / no penalties

I provided the factors as to not gloat, but rather to get the best answer from those who have fairly established websites and perhaps had to change their URLs and noticed some or no changes to their rankings.

How long of a hit am I going to take / how much my posts might drop down in SERPs if I change the permalink structure, properly 301 them, and implement all changes in one swoop?

Info for WordPress users

• Benefits of changing the permalink structure to /%post_id%/%postname%/ -- for example -- include: way faster load times, not having 5,000 requests per page load, avoiding verbose rewrite rules trigger, finally modify the site without worrying about crashing the website and using a local server to make changes on thousands of pages (the database backups, the ritual of changing the settings in the local database, changing the post/page, saving the local database, loading the locally saved db on live server, and crossing fingers and pray it works -- just takes so darn long.) Ahh..yes, huge time saver.

** this issue occurs when using WP as a CMS with several hundred pages + and using the /%postname%/ or /%category%//%postname%/ or /somethingstatic/%postname%/ -- IF USING the date based way /%year%/%postname%/ or /%post_id%/%postname%/ you should be fine.

[KeriMorgret]

So glad to hear that, and thanks for following up!

[pepsimoz]

As David said, no big problems. In fact, I had no loss of traffic at all.

[KeriMorgret]

Hi! I'm reviewing older, unanswered posts and wondering if you went ahead and did this, and if you can share your results and any lessons learned. Thanks!

[pepsimoz]

Good to hear. BTW /%category%/%postname%/ triggers verbose rules. I think it's a great permalink structure if you utilize your categories in main nav, for example. Plus, the URLs look good

Thank you.

[DavidKauzlaric]

If you change your architecture, properly 301, and do it the PROPER way, you wont see much difference. Within 30 days, you'll be back to normal, in my experience. I've done this quite a few times with a Joomla site and WP site(s).

I personally like using /%category%/%postname%/ --- but to each his own

You'll be fine. Good luck and let us know how it goes.