Deindexed site - is it best to start over?

[WillWatrous]

A potential client's website has been deindexed from Google. We'd be completely redesigning his site with all new content. Would it be best to purchase a new url and redirect the old deindexed site to the new one, or try stick with the old domain?

[WillWatrous]

Thanks to everyone for the info.

The main url they use is: http://tinyurl.com/l5sl4to however this is just an iframe to the .biz url. Neither url has many links, which all look fine. I'm thinking it could be for the frame?

[MarieHaynes]

Is it deindexed because of unnatural links?  I've brought a couple of deindexed sites back to ranking well again for brand terms by doing a very thorough link cleanup but you've got to be very thorough.  These sites usually need to start over (or close to over) again for their keyword rankings because in most cases the keyword rankings were only supported by unnatural links that are no longer counting again.

If this were my business I would take the following into account when deciding whether or not to start over:

-Do I have a lot invested in my url?  i.e. Is my url used extensively in advertising, signage, etc.

-Do I have natural links pointing to this url already?

-Do I have the budget to hire someone to thoroughly clean the link profile and get the penalty lifted?

-Do I have the budget to hire someone who can help my website attract links naturally from this point on?

[DarinPirkey]

The REASON you got indexed is important.  If it's because of linking then I would totally start over.  The only trump card to that would be if you have strong brand signals.  YOU CAN RECOVER but you'll have to determine if your metrics are strong or weak.  If you had very strong metrics behind your site, then you can recover within a year and be back to where you were.   If your signals are weak, then the effort to correct your issues will be the same time/money it would take to start over and build up domain metrics.  Your Brand will matter.  If you have good brand mentions then maybe staying on that domain is the best option.

[Keszi]

Hi Will,

Before taking a decision like this, maybe you should analyze why was it deindexed?

I have seen websites getting deindexed because of technical issues, it might be worth taking a look.

Greetings,

Istvan