Several users on this platform assisted me in addressing my issues with transferring my website from Godaddy to Siteground. My website contains old Wordpress apps that operate on earlier versions of PHP, which are not compatible with Siteground. I initially intended to update these apps, remove the problematic ones, and modify my theme, but there are numerous things I need to fix.

Consequently, I am contemplating starting afresh and completely redesigning it. While I'm willing to do this, I'm concerned about the potential damage to my Google ranking and links. Is it risky to rebuild my website on Siteground step-by-step over the next few weeks and correct any errors in the articles?

Furthermore, how can I link all the URLS from my old host to the new one without it seeming like a duplicate website to Google?

Redesigning a website completely is generally beneficial for SEO because it is more likely to have current and relevant content that is engaging for visitors, and it will also be optimized for mobile devices. It can lead to a better outcome than attempting to patch up an outdated site. Starting anew is often faster and thus cheaper, especially when changing between different CMS platforms.

When linking old URLs to new ones, there are several options:

- The simplest approach is to leave them unchanged and ensure the "permalink" for each new page matches the old one.
- Apache conf files or .htaccess rules can be used to rewrite URLs (individually or in bulk) so they stay consistent even if the page is now in a different location in the structure.
- Redirecting with 301 or 302 rules can allow both old and new URLs to work for a short period until search engines catch up, but this may break some external links.
- Allowing irrelevant old content to disappear with a 410 "gone" error code instead of a 404 "not found" deliberately shows that the content has been removed, but it can also break some links.

During significant upgrades like these, it's typically best to use a temporary subdomain such as "staging" to avoid confusing search engines.

Obviously yes, even tho that's a lot of work with redesigning and fixing bugs, also you'll need to modernize the site (but i think it's not that bad, sites in 2012 was already capable of many things we use today) but you will have no problems with search engines and seo content.

Many people mistakenly believe that the most crucial aspect of a website is its appearance - it needs to be beautiful, user-friendly, functional, and creative enough to elicit a "Wow!" reaction. However, a website is not a piece of artwork and its aesthetic value is secondary. The primary focus should be the content (see more about content here), with the design serving as a supporting element.

That being said, the engine, design, and structure of a website are still important because poor decisions can hinder a project's success. In my opinion, the best option is a free engine like Joomla or WordPress, as they are professional-grade solutions that are distributed for free.

Regarding the compatibility issue with earlier versions of PHP, it's a good idea to update the apps, remove problematic ones, and modify the theme. This will help ensure smooth operation on the new hosting platform.

If you're considering a complete redesign, rebuilding your website step-by-step on Siteground over the next few weeks can be beneficial. However, it's crucial to take certain measures to minimize negative effects on your Google ranking and SEO.

To ensure a smooth transition without losing traffic and rankings, follow these steps:
1. Set up proper 301 redirects: Redirect all old URLs to their corresponding new URLs on Siteground using 301 redirect rules in the .htaccess file or through a plugin if you're using WordPress. This will inform search engines that the content has permanently moved to a new location.
2. Update sitemap: Submit an updated sitemap to Google Search Console to help search engines discover the new URLs and understand the site structure.
3. Monitor crawl errors: Use Google Search Console to monitor crawl errors and fix any issues related to indexing of the new URLs.
4. Update internal links: Update internal links within your website to point to the new URLs on Siteground.
5. Monitor performance: Keep a close eye on your website's organic traffic, rankings, and user engagement during and after the migration. Analyze any fluctuations and take corrective actions if necessary.

It's important to note that while the transition may cause a temporary fluctuation in rankings, if executed properly, your website should recover and potentially even improve its performance on Siteground.

Rebuilding your website on Siteground is not inherently risky, but it requires careful planning and execution to mitigate any potential negative impact on SEO and rankings. If possible, consult with an SEO specialist to ensure a seamless transition and maintain your website's visibility in search engines.

So if your child below 13 years of age expresses interest in creating their own website, you as the parent (or teacher) have to take charge. This means creating the account from start to finish and handling all the technical and legal aspects that come with it.

Complete overhaul can be dangerous. You're essentially risking everything you've built in terms of SEO. Google values consistency and relevance, so if you go the route of rebuilding, you must ensure that your URL structure remains intact. 301 redirects are vital to prevent Google from seeing your new site as a duplicate.
Instead of a full redesign, consider enhancing your current site while addressing the PHP issues. You can gradually improve the user experience without jeopardizing your rankings. It's a smarter, less risky strategy.