HTTP → HTTPS Migration - Both Websites Live Simultaneously

[AMSI-SEO]

We have a situation where a vendor, who manages a great deal of our websites, is migrating their platform to HTTPS. The problem is that the HTTP & new HTTPS versions will be live simultaneously (in order to give clients time to audit both sites before the hard switch). I know this isn't the way that it should be done, but this is the problem we are facing.

My concern was that we would have two websites in the index, so I suggested that they noindex the new HTTPS website until we are ready for the switch. They told me that they would just add cannonicals to the HTTPS that points to the HTTP and when it's time for the switch reverse the cannonicals.

Is this a viable approach?

[AMSI-SEO]

We will definitely employ the 301 redirects once we completely audit the HTTPS site for any absolute links. I just wanted to ensure that we wouldn't have two sites in the index during the transition. Thanks for the feedback.

[dohertyjf]

Hey there! Great question and sounds like you are thinking through the important things.

I think the canonical approach is best, especially if URLs and content are staying the same. I would not mess around with robots.txt or noindex at this point as the canonical should keep the one out of the index and allow the other to rank.

Longterm of course, a proper 301 redirect strategy is the right solution. But short term, to test user behavior/conversions/rankings, a canonical is a great way to go.

[AMSI-SEO]

Thanks.

[anthonydnelson]

Their plan to use canonicals is a great approach.