SEO implications when changing the business function however using the same domain name

[Republica]

Hi Everyone,

Request some advice on the following situation please:

If a client wishes to start a new business (advertising agency) using a domain name that they previously used for a completely different business function (selling hats & t-shirts)

Is there anything you can do to "clean" the domain so that the previous indexing of the domain does not effect the new business and give the client a fresh start.

Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.

Regards and thanks.

[JordanLowry]

Hey Paul,

I would definitely try to push the client to purchase a new domain and create a new brand around the new business. That seems like a much easier and efficient process that pivoting the current business.

[Republica]

Hi Jordan,

Appreciate the response.

The reason for wanting to keep the existing domain is that it is a one word domain that is generic enough to be used for another business. Additionally the client is attached to the brand and just wants to pivot the business.

Regards and thanks.

Paul

[JordanLowry]

I think it would be best practices to get a new domain/name and brand the new business accordingly. Any organic traffic coming into the site would expect to find information regarding hats & t-shirts. I would expect you would fight an uphill battle to re brand, target new information, build relevant backlinks etc.

However, Im sure you can target new keywords, build new content around your new business functions and build relevant backlinks. Eventually Im sure you would begin to target the right searchers.

Why do you want to keep the existing domain?