Changing Business Names
-
Hi All,
I am working with a client that is changing its business name and website domain. Obviously, they want Google Maps to display their correct information. I know that in order for this to happen, they will need to do some citation clean-up and update their Google+ Local page, but does anyone have any opinions on the order in which these things should be done?
Thanks!
-
Thanks for the responses, everyone! And thanks for those resources, Miriam. Very helpful!
-
Hey There!
We have another thread going on this topic which might be very helpful to you:
http://moz.com/community/q/transfer-local-seo-rankings-to-another-domain
Please, consider checking out the rebranding resources I've referenced over there. I think they'll help!
-
Hi We went from WYKO to ERIKS in 2008.
I created a new site with the new company name and had a banner pointing to the new company name on the homepage of the website for months before the big switch over.
I then began the task of re-pointing all of my pages to the new website using 301 redirect, the content was identical to start off with so that the task was easy http://www.wyko.co.uk/bearings was the same as http://www.eriks.co.uk/bearings
Then marketing made any changes to the new website pages only. (never changing the URL!) This could have been a re-direct to a relevant page. Any content which was no longer relevant also had a redirect setup to the homepage to ensure no old links where broken.
Something else I did which may or may not be a possibility, I created a History Page which contains names of all of our acquisitions and old company names, this way Google picks these up and when people still type in "WYKO" of "WYKO Industrial Services" they still find ERIKS. Old habits die hard we still get allot of traffic from the old company name.
Something else I would consider is getting websites to change the domain listing they may have. We still have allot of sites linking to www.wyko.co.uk today, whilst they 301 Permanent Re-Direct it's much better to get the Google Juice with a direct link, so get those emails sent out.
3 months later the traffic on the new site was greater than the old site and that's when the old domain was redirected and is still in place today,
Good Luck
Dave
-
I recommend using a program like Moz Local or Yext to help clean up your name, address and phone number all around the web. Your NAP is extremely important for ranking.
-
You may not be merging sites like I am contemplating doing but you are looking to change domain names etc and fullfilling a rebrand.
Thomas has provided me with some great points when performing the move to compliment what I already knew. A move does not simply involve changing your Google+ local page, but a whole host more which has to be considered.
Might be worth reading.
http://moz.com/community/q/seo-considerations-for-merging-two-brand-website-into-one
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
-
Trading As Business Name
Some businesses are set us with a company name but trade under another name (or numerous other names). What's the best way to handle this when it comes to Knowledge Graph & Schema.org and what about NAP consistency? Am assuming the only way to handle this is to do something like this: Blue Widgets Ltd trading as Cars UK Or is there a better way?
Local Listings | | GrouchyKids0 -
Choosing Your Own Photo for Google Business?
When we type in our business name, our google business profile comes up on the right-hand side per usual. However, the photo that is displayed is not the one we want to be displayed. Is there a way to change that? Is there a way to tell google "this is the photo we want to display in search?" Also, the photo that is being displayd is not one that we even have uploaded to the google business page. It is on our website, but not on the photos for google business page. Thanks, Ruben
Local Listings | | KempRugeLawGroup0 -
[Local Search] Do you get penalized by using a Google Voice number for each seperate business location?
My client is expanding and opening up separate locations and I will be getting all their online business listings up and running. The client wants to use a single 1-888 number for all locations, however, it was my assumption that they would need a local number for each location to improve their ranking. Could I suggest using free Google voice numbers that get forwarded to their 1-888 number or will Google discredit us for this?
Local Listings | | aedesignco0 -
Creating a Google My Business listing in a used location
Hi! We're expanding our business and opening a new office. The location of that office is a shared office with another company, Will it be possible to verify the listing in Google My Business even tough there's a verified business there?
Local Listings | | OrendaLtd0 -
Home-Based Business
Can a single business list multiple locations that are home-based? Will Google find this acceptable? More details. The business is a service based business that operates in two states. The owner has one approved Google My Business listing for her main location - her home in DE. She also has employees and stores supplies at her in-law's home in PA. Separate phone numbers are used for each business location. We have tried to create a Google My Business listing for the PA location and it has been rejected for quality reasons. We've asked clarification and received none. Is this worth pursing further or does it violate Google guidelines?
Local Listings | | DonnaDuncan2 -
Should I change my local listing Service type from Brick and Mortar to Service Area in Google? And will it affect my ranking in a negative manner?
Currently my company Big Boy Bail Bonds, Inc is ranking very well for the city it is located and, currently service type is brick and mortar. But my Company does not only service people at our location but we service the entire county of Los Angeles. And I wanted to know if you would advise me on weather I should change the service type from brick and morter to service area. and if doing that would effect me in a negative manner when it came to my ranking? Plz advice Thank you in advance.
Local Listings | | LittleDog1 -
How to submit a new business in Factual
I am trying to create citation for my client sites in Factual.com. As, I am not a hardcore developer, I wont be able to use the API as mentioned in the Factual website. It also provides a lit of Trusted Data Contributors, which are paid third party service providers. I would like to know, whether it is possible to create a business listing in Factual, by using any other means than these two options.
Local Listings | | ArthurRadtke1 -
Why does my business does not appear on Google Maps ?
I recently created a Google + Profile for a client (I'm from Canada), even created a profile for Google Maps, received the code and my business is now verified. It's been nearly three weeks and the business still does not show or is even marked on Google Maps. I reviewed my profile to make sure I did not forget anything. I even contacted Google maps to suggest a change, nothing seems to work. Can anyone help me ? Thank you !
Local Listings | | marketingmedia.ca0