Should I switch back to my old domain?
-
I'm looking for some advice on switching domains for my survey/giveaway website.
I purchased a website that gets around 1,500 in traffic and makes a few hundred in Adsense. The previous owner had rebranded the site and changed the domain which ended up hurting his SEO and traffic. Before that it was getting 10,000 in traffic on the old domain.
It's been a few years since the rebrand but the original domain still holds a lot of authority and got way more traffic. Should I consider switching the website back to the original domain to try to improve rankings again or should I just focus on the new domain?
The website now is snipon.com and the previous domain name was surveyh.com
I'm wondering if switching back to the original domain will still be beneficial or if it will just mess up what's happening now on the rebranded site. -
@Suvidit-Academy said in Should I switch back to my old domain?:
As you didn't mention how earlier the Domain is shifted from old domain to running domain, as to handle the SEO part Google have a solution, you have to update the shift in domain in Google Search Console so that Google can properly index your website with a proper 301 redirect of the old domain to the new domain.
.
Switching Back to Old DomainNow if you think you should shift back to earlier domain , Handling SEO for a shift is Manageable, but the complication is to deal with Branding, as you have to make people aware of the name change and regain the trust.
At first before making a decision to change the from new domain to old domain check the following
- Why the last owner switched to new domain.
- List the current redirect data from old domain to new domain.
- Check for old domain direct hits.
- Look for any other data that is helpful to understand the Branding part of the old domain.
Once you have this data, compare it with new domain data and try to analyse do we need to switch to old or not.
.
Other Possible ReasonsFall in the Organic Traffic may not just because of Shift to new Domain, but there can be various factors like...
- Branding Factor
- Google algorithm change
- Change in trend or people behaviour
- New competitor getting more traffic for your target keywords.
- Pages are penalized by Google for violating its quality guidelines.
- Technical issue with your website.
Please feel free to ask your doubts at info@suvidit.com
.
Warm Regards
Rahul Gupta
Suvidit ConsultingHi dear friend;
I had a valid domain named aekala for about two years, but due to a brand name change, I migrated to another domain named Avesta.house.
My question is: How long will it take for the previous site's credit and ratings to be transferred to the new site? (It's now been about 3 weeks since my transition and the results are very poor and still have some pages with the same name as before in the results. -
Switching back to your old domain should be a decision based on the reasons that led to the initial change, SEO implications, branding, costs, and long-term strategy. If the issues prompting the switch have been resolved, and your old domain is well-established and recognized by your audience, it may make sense to return for consistency and trust. However, assess the potential SEO impact and consider consulting professionals to ensure it aligns with your broader goals.
-
@courtney-lou Deciding whether to switch back to your old domain or stick with your current one depends on various factors:
-
Reason for the Change: Why did you switch to the new domain in the first place? If the reasons for the switch are still valid, such as branding, SEO, or a change in business focus, sticking with the new domain might be the right choice.
-
SEO Impact: Changing domains can affect your SEO rankings. If your new domain has gained authority and visibility over time, switching back could harm your search engine rankings. Analyze the potential SEO impact before deciding.
-
Brand Consistency: Consider the impact on your brand identity. If your old domain aligns better with your brand and its reputation, switching back might make sense.
-
User Familiarity: If your audience is familiar with your old domain and it's easier for them to remember, returning to it could improve user experience.
-
Cost and Effort: Changing domains involves costs and efforts in terms of domain registration, site migration, and marketing adjustments. Evaluate if these investments are worth the potential benefits.
-
Content and Backlinks: Assess how the switch will affect your existing content and backlinks. Proper redirects and backlink management are crucial to preserve your website's authority and traffic.
-
Consultation: It can be helpful to consult with web developers, SEO experts, and colleagues who understand your business and website goals. They can provide valuable insights and recommendations.
Ultimately, the decision should align with your long-term business and website goals. Weigh the pros and cons carefully before making a choice, and consider the impact on your audience and online presence.
-
-
I am curious to know what you did?
-
Switching back to your old domain or sticking with a new one depends on your specific circumstances and goals. Here are some factors to consider when making this decision:
Reason for the Change: Why did you initially switch to the new domain? If you had valid reasons, such as r, resolving technical issues, or improving SEO, it's essential to evaluate whether those reasons still apply.
SEO Impact: Changing domains can have a significant impact on your website's SEO. If your new domain has built up authority and rankings over time, switching back may cause a temporary drop in organic traffic and search engine rankings.
User Awareness: Consider how familiar your audience is with the new domain. If users have become accustomed to the new domain and it's now associated with your brand, switching back might create confusion.
Rebranding: If you initially switched due to a rebranding effort and have successfully rebranded your website with the new domain, switching back may not align with your branding strategy.
Technical Considerations: Assess the technical aspects of the switch, such as 301 redirects, sitemap updates, and canonical tags. Ensure that all technical SEO elements are correctly configured.
Content and Links: If you've created new content and acquired backlinks on the new domain, switching back could disrupt these efforts. Ensure that you can migrate content and backlinks effectively if you decide to switch.
Domain Age: Older domains often carry some SEO benefits due to their age. If your old domain has a long history, it may have an advantage in search rankings.
Cost and Resources: Changing domains can be resource-intensive and may require additional costs for domain registration, hosting, and technical support.
Consult SEO Experts: It's advisable to consult with SEO experts who can analyze your specific situation and provide recommendations based on your goals, domain history, and the competitive landscape in your industry.
User Experience: Consider the impact on user experience. Ensure that users can seamlessly transition between the old and new domains, and provide clear messaging if you decide to switch back.
Ultimately, the decision to switch back to your old domain should align with your current business goals and branding strategy. If the reasons for the initial domain change no longer apply or if there are compelling reasons to revert to the old domain, it can be a viable option. However, it's essential to plan the transition carefully to minimize any negative SEO impacts and ensure a smooth user experience during the switch.
-
@Seotoolsorg
I have also a domain youlearnwithme.com -
Our Website Seotoolsorg.com also earlier display moz da as 51 and now it display only 21 what is the reason how it impact our ranking
-
As you didn't mention how earlier the Domain is shifted from old domain to running domain, as to handle the SEO part Google have a solution, you have to update the shift in domain in Google Search Console so that Google can properly index your website with a proper 301 redirect of the old domain to the new domain.
.
Switching Back to Old DomainNow if you think you should shift back to earlier domain , Handling SEO for a shift is Manageable, but the complication is to deal with Branding, as you have to make people aware of the name change and regain the trust.
At first before making a decision to change the from new domain to old domain check the following
- Why the last owner switched to new domain.
- List the current redirect data from old domain to new domain.
- Check for old domain direct hits.
- Look for any other data that is helpful to understand the Branding part of the old domain.
Once you have this data, compare it with new domain data and try to analyse do we need to switch to old or not.
.
Other Possible ReasonsFall in the Organic Traffic may not just because of Shift to new Domain, but there can be various factors like...
- Branding Factor
- Google algorithm change
- Change in trend or people behaviour
- New competitor getting more traffic for your target keywords.
- Pages are penalized by Google for violating its quality guidelines.
- Technical issue with your website.
Please feel free to ask your doubts at info@suvidit.com
.
Warm Regards
Rahul Gupta
Suvidit Consulting
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
-
Is it Ok to have multiple domains (separate website different content) rank for similar keywords?
Is it 'OK' to have multiple domains in the following instance? Does Google actively discourage multiple (but completely different sites) domains from the same company appearing in the search results for the same and or similar keywords if the content is slightly different? This is where the 'main site' has the details, and you can purchase product, and the second site is a blog site only. We are creating a separate content blogsite; which would be on a second domain that will be related to one portion of content on main site. They would be linking back and forth, or maybe the blog site would just link over to the main site so they can purchase said product. This would be a similar scenario to give you an idea of how it would be structured: MAIN SITE: describes a few products, and you can purchase from this site SECOND SITE, different domain: a blog site that contains personal experiences with one of the products. BOTH sites will be linked back and forth....or as mentioned maybe the blog site could just link over to the 'main site' Logo would be a modified version of the main logo and look and feel of the sight would be similar but not exactly the same. MORE INFO: the main site has existed for way over 10 years, starting to gain some traction in an extremely competitive market, but does not rank super high, is gaining traction due to improvements in speed, content, onpage SEO, etc... So in addition to my main question of is this 'ok' to have this second domain, also will it hurt the rankings or negatively affect the 'main' site? Wondering about duplicate content issues, except it will be slightly different...
SEO Tactics | | fourwhitesocks0 -
Ok to have multiple domains w/ seperate websites rank for similar keywords?
Is it Ok to have multiple domains (separate website different content) rank for similar keywords? Is it 'OK' to have multiple domains in the following instance? Does Google actively discourage multiple (but completely different sites) domains from the same company appearing in the search results for the same and or similar keywords if the content is slightly different? This is where the 'main site' has the details, and you can purchase product, and the second site is a blog site only. We are creating a separate content blogsite; which would be on a second domain that will be related to one portion of content on main site. They would be linking back and forth, or maybe the blog site would just link over to the main site so they can purchase said product. This would be a similar scenario to give you an idea of how it would be structured: MAIN SITE: describes a few products, and you can purchase from this site SECOND SITE, different domain: a blog site that contains personal experiences
SEO Tactics | | fourwhitesocks
with one of the products. BOTH sites will be linked back and forth....or as mentioned maybe the blog site could just link over to the 'main site' Logo would be a modified version of the main logo and look and feel of the sight would be similar but not exactly the same. MORE INFO: the main site has existed for way over 10 years, starting to gain some traction in an extremely competitive market, but does not rank super high, is gaining traction due to improvements in speed, content, onpage SEO, etc... So in addition to my main question of is this 'ok' to have this second domain, also will it hurt the rankings or negatively affect the 'main' site, will we have duplicate content issues? ** If this is not the right place to ask this then where should I be asking?
Thank you!0 -
Domain forwarding or 301 redirects?
I have two domains and one of them is being phased out. Currently, there are some 301 redirects in place for the main pages but I was wondering if it would be better / easier to just set up domain forwarding? I can't seem to find anywhere that tells you the "type" domain forwarding, is it 301? 302? etc. Thanks,
SEO Tactics | | BrandonDebison0 -
Domain migration goes wrong. I have a few quesitons.
So I did a domain migration 4-5 months ago, lost about 70-80% of the traffic and I still couldn't recover the traffic. Redirected everything 1:1 Updated internal links Triggered change of address in GSC Monitoring the server logs (everything is perfect) Uploaded the old sitemap with the old URLs What happened/ what have I noticed so far: Almost all URLs have been indexed on the new domain New content on the new domain is indexed in a matter of few hours There's only one particular page that still appears as "Crawled and indexed" on the old domain and still receives traffic. I tried to request the manual indexing so Google could figure out the page has been redirected but nothing has changed. I think this is a sign Google hasn't finished the domain migration process? Most WEBP images appear as "Crawled - currently not indexed" on the old domain. Shouldn't they appear as "Page with redirect"? The new domain is ranking pretty well on a bunch of keywords (they're like 2-3% of the total page count) while the rest of 97% of pages haven't appeared not even in the top 200 results (these pages don't receive a single impression) Google acts a bit strangely on crawling the old domain. He keeps crawling the category pages over and over again (sometimes I see 20-30 crawls on a single category page in a single day) while the inner pages and images are rarely crawled. Like I see 4-5 crawls on images per day maximum. The traffic and number of rankings keywords haven't changed a bit after the last Google updates. Does this indicate that we haven't been impacted by them? So any suggestions on what else can I do to find out the reason why the website hasn't recovered? My guesses are: The process is still not finished (unlikely since it already passed 4-5 months) There's a technical error that I can't find (again, unlikely since I see nothing strange in the logs that'd indicate Google has problems fetching the site) Someone did something nasty (like blasting the website with backlinks or copying the content) that hindered the process? I see a couple of sites made in a language I can't read that literally copy and translate the content from my website and publish on theirs with the canonical URL my website URL. Also, two sites cloned mine after the migration but I managed to eliminate them in time. I had a lot of spammy backlinks on the old domain that have been automatically generated on the ranking pages over a few years. I haven't disavowed them because Google claimed they can identify and eliminate them. Now all those backlinks have instantly moved to the new domain which could put Google in panic mode and lower its trust in our website. Should I disavow them? Please any help is highly appreciated.
SEO Tactics | | Anna332120