I redesigned my site: will Google reward or penalise?

If content and server have changed

[Sorry In Advance]

I've completely redesigned my site from a plain text and graphic 5 page site, to a more CSS/Javascript site, with around 12-13 pages (the content is still normal text, not lost in Javascript or graphics etc). There is more quality textual content, the title tags on the homepage are better and relate well to the content. The internal links are relatively well written to include keywords. I have a few other businesses linking to my web address.

I've also moved it to new hosting space, but with the same web address. Is that likely to slow things down SEO-wise?

Will google see a completely new site that requires a reputation to be built up, or will it count in my favour because it shows that the site is updated with "fresh" information?

[tbear]

Hi Sorry_In_Advance,
Don't think the hosting change should have any effect.
I would expect that if your site was well indexed before and you have 'improved' it, then the SEs will probably reapraise it and hopefully push it a little more forward.
If the reverse happens, I assume you have a back up of the old site, to see why it was better....

[Lorel]

As an experienced website redesigner I would say as long as your new version validates and you make sure your keyword density is competitive in your market (along with the SEO and links you mentioned) and is not blacklisted or penalized by duplicate penalities or hijacked somewhere else, you should see results in a few months. It will take that long for the major engines to update all your pages (it could take right off depending on competition). I would make note of your keyword rank now so you can compare it later and make adjustments where necessary.