Best Way to change domain name
-
Hi,
I have a driving instructor wordpress website called www.drivnglessonsbrightonandhove.co.uk, done a little link building. But before I start this properly, I want to change it to www.drivingbrighton.co.uk (as the first is too long to fit on the car etc!!!!)
Whats the best way to do this? Is there a way to help keep its position in google as just got into top10 for different keywords?
-
Antony,
If your site structure is to remain the same use Google's Step by Step Guide to Migrating a Domain
Google recommends redirecting all pages. After you follow Google's suggestions on the move there are things you can do to speed this up. Tweet every URL on your new site that you want indexed. Check the site: indexation for inclusion of the new pages and don't forget the sitemap and Google Webmaster Tools for your URL preference.
-
Hi Anthony.
Your new URL choice seems like a good choice. The best way to make this change is to add a 301 redirect from your current site to the new site. Your web host can set this up for you.
Whenever a redirect is used you will lose a small amount of link value which could impact ranking. Often the change is made with no ranking change but you can lose a spot or two. You can reduce or eliminate any loss by ensuring all links to your site are updated to your new URL. This would include any signature links, facebook links, etc.
Once the change is made it is entirely possible your site can "bounce" on the search result pages. It may take a few weeks for Google to crawl all of your site and the final rankings to settle.
Since you are making an improvement it's up to you to decide if in the long term the long term benefit would offset any short term set back.
Got a burning SEO question?
Subscribe to Moz Pro to gain full access to Q&A, answer questions, and ask your own.
Browse Questions
Explore more categories
-
Moz Tools
Chat with the community about the Moz tools.
-
SEO Tactics
Discuss the SEO process with fellow marketers
-
Community
Discuss industry events, jobs, and news!
-
Digital Marketing
Chat about tactics outside of SEO
-
Research & Trends
Dive into research and trends in the search industry.
-
Support
Connect on product support and feature requests.
Related Questions
-
Goals for Sub Domain
I have created separate account for my sub domain and created goal for that, we have sales force data base to capture the leads.The problem which i'am facing is comparing to the goals and Sales force leads is very much difference.Goals leads are showing huge than sales force leads. 2) When lead is creating from organic source but in goals it's showing referral lead.
Technical SEO | | Anshul.S0 -
Best way to handle with a Multiple Langue Issue
Howdy everyone! I am having trouble with deciding on how to solve a Multiple Language Issue. I went to several consultants here in Mexico, but i am not totally convinced on their solution. So i am hoping to hear excellent advice (as always) here on the SEOMOZ Forum. I have a website, (www.aceromart.com) an ecommerce site in which to sell materials for the construction industry. My main market is in Mexico, therefore the website is in Spanish. However, the export sales are increasing and some of the suppliers are from USA. I need to include the English version on my website, however i dont know how to do this. The option that they propose is to create an entirely different website with another domain. Entirely in English that links to my existing website. I did not like this at all. Mainly because i would not like to change the brand name or anything. I would like to include the English version within my website. Is it okay, if treat it as a folder withing my website. I.E www.aceromart.com/english/content? What is the best way to do this according to your experience. Best Regards, thanks for your help.
Technical SEO | | JesusD0 -
Best source to keep abreast of Google Alogorith Changes
Good morning from 13 degress C about to chuck it down wetherby UK... I want to make sure i keep my finger on the pulse regarding Google Algorithmic changes. What is the best source to make sure your kept up to date with Googles ongoing tweeks to its Algorithm (apart from SEO moz). Thanks, David
Technical SEO | | Nightwing0 -
Domains and subdomains
When I started a campaign for my message, I got the message: "We have detected that the domain www.vamospaella.com and the domain vamospaella.com both respond to web requests and do not redirect. Having two "twin" domains that both resolve forces them to battle for SERP positions, making your SEO efforts less effective. We suggest redirecting one, then entering the other here." I wasn't sure whether I had said it was a subdomain when in fact it was a domain (or the other way round), so I started another campaign for the same website using the other option and the message didn't come up. However, I still don't understand what you meant by this and whether it's an issue. When I search for my website in Google, it shows as vamospaella.com when other websites come up as www. and then their domain name. If it is a problem, is it to do with my hosting package and how it's set up or is it to do with my local site on my computer? I did ring my web host, 1&1, but they said they couldn't see a problem. Please can you let me know how I can resolve this as my ranking is still quite low in Google and I'm not sure why. If it is because of "twin domains", then will Google see my content as duplicated and keep me low in their rankings? I'm new to SEO and not a website novice, so please answer in lay terms! Thanks Melissa
Technical SEO | | melissa10 -
Canonicalisation - Best Approach?
Hi I have been reading into canonicalisation and I am looking for professional advice and guidance on the best approach as there are many conflicting views on how to implement a solution. I have added to the homepage http://www.cheapfindergames.com/" /> so that http://cheapfindergames.com and index.php redirects to the www version. Or would it be better using .htaccess if this is the case what code would be needed to achieve the above? Many Thanks
Technical SEO | | ocelot0 -
301 Redirect with an Exact Domain name Match
My Client had a site that ranked for a pretty competitive two word phrase, but for a variety of reasons had to transfer the site to a different domain name (with none of the previous keywords). We've 301'd everything just fine to the new site, but our traffic for that two word phrase, as well as related long tail traffic, is beginning to drop. Could the drop be related to something that we didn't do well in the transfer? Or is it due to the new domain name now not being an exact match? Sitenote question: Our Google Analytics is still set up for the former domain name and shows data just fine. Is there any reason to switch GA to the new domain? What are the pros/cons? Much thanks in advance!
Technical SEO | | TrevorMcKendrick0 -
Best way to create page title to products catalog
Hi guys, i'm having problems with duplicated page title, and i want to know what is the best way to avoid this problem. The example is like this: Title page (A): Product name A - category - section Title page (B): Product name B - category - section, What you think guys i can resolve this problem, Thank you so much for your help.
Technical SEO | | NorbertoMM0 -
Sub Domain SEO
I am thinking to Add Sub Domains to get better rankings for Local Searches. So I will develop City Specific Sites with Specific Language. For Example qatar.wisnetsol.com. IT will be in Arabic. If my Good standing and Ranking on Google for wisnetsol.com will help my subdomain to rank better? if we setup wisnetsol.com/qatar, how it can target Qatar in Google Webmaster tools? Will links for qatar.wisnetsol.com and wisnetsol.com are seprate? What do you think about this strategy? Is it good or bad?
Technical SEO | | Khuram0