Merge two different domains into one

[Bulpen]

Hi all SEO folks

We want to merge two different domains into one. The products are similar to each other but domain1 is the online product and domain2 is the offline version of the product (new launced product). Both the domains have the domain Authority 47 but domain1 is optimized to the online product and most keywords (branded keywords) are in top 3 , where as the domain2 has been used for another concept which has now been closed down (beginning of may), and replaced with the offline product. To boost the sale of the offline product, we want to move the content from domain1(online product) to domain2(offline product), and off course we want to keep the ranking in top 3.

So this is what I know I have to do: Redirect 301 from old content url to new content url, contact external domains and ask them to link to the new domain. Furthermore I read that it is important to place everything from the old site exactly the same way on the new site (and keep the content the same), and that way keep the internal url structure/linkjuice.

This is were my question comes in. If we move all the content to the exactly same location on the new site, there will be way to many links on the frontpage and the new offline product won't have the dominating position.
Do any of you have experience with moving the content from one domain1.com to domain2.com/online and still be able to keep the ranking in SERP, or would you recommend always to move the content from root to root?

Ps: Sorry about my English. English is not my  main language. Hope you understand my question anyway :).

[Bulpen]

Hi Lynn

Thank you so much for your answer :). The reason for the moving domain1 to domain2 is because of a new business plan (what we earn money on and what signals we want so send). Knowing the risks, I can better guide my employer to what options we have and what the outcome might be.

So your answer helped a lot - thank you :).

Maja

[LynnPatchett]

Hi Maja,

Any domain switch has some uncertainty involved in it in regards rankings and possible negative effects. Adding a new url structure will add more complexity to that mix and potentially make it more difficult to troubleshoot problems. That being said, if most of your branded search is coming into domain1 and you want to keep that going, it might make more sense to keep the old domain as it is and add an offline sub folder to it instead of the other way around? That might not fit your business plan or model, but I would be careful about changing domain and url structure at the same time on a site that is bringing in most of your traffic!

Check out this useful post: http://moz.com/blog/achieving-an-seo-friendly-domain-migration-the-infographic which has some links at the bottom for useful further reading.

Hope that helps!