A company can undergo several transformations throughout its existence, including organizational, structural, and product changes. Rebranding is also one reason for switching domains. Whatever the reason, rebranding or the company having found a better domain name can be a daunting task. How often have companies pondered the question, “Can I switch domain names without affecting our SEO?” Let us inform you that transferring domains won’t impact your SEO rankings. Read on to learn the ins and outs of domain transfer.
Before learning about domain migration, let us explore some reasons for switching domains.
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What Are The Reasons For Switching Domains?
We have mentioned some reasons why a company might consider domain migration.
1. Rebranding
New Identity: Your business may have evolved, and you need a domain that reflects this new identity.
Better Name: You found a catchier domain, more accessible to remember, or more aligned with your brand.
2. Expansion
Target Audience: You want to appeal to a broader audience, requiring a domain that speaks to a larger market.
Internationalization: Going global may necessitate a better domain for international SEO.
3. SEO Improvements
Keyword Optimization: Your new domain might allow for better incorporation of high-performing keywords.
Mobile Friendly: Domain switching can help in boosting mobile search results.
4. Legal Changes
Consolidate: If your brand delivers the same products and services, you must consider amalgamating all the domains under one name.
Domain History: Purchasing a domain with a clean history can save you from past penalties and avoid trademark issues.
Steps to Transition Quickly to a New Domain Without Losing SEO Efforts
Back-Up The Entire Website
Before you begin the domain migration process, you must back up the entire website. You do not want corrupted files while transferring the domain. To duplicate the website, you must have a backup of all the files, documents, and databases using a plugin like BackUpWordPress. This will make the migration process more manageable for the new domain.
Select Appropriate New Domain Name
You should be meticulous, as migrating domains is a painstaking process. Choosing the right domain name requires careful consideration. Choose a domain name that is either very similar to the one you already use or accurately expresses your brand. Ensure it is related to your content, easy to remember, and beneficial to search engine optimization.
301 Redirect
After carefully selecting a domain name, the next step in domain transfer is setting up a 301 redirect from the previous domain to the new domain. This process typically informs Google or other search engines that the current page is no longer functional and redirects viewers to the new page.
Before publishing the website, you must carefully implement 301 redirects on all its pages and ensure they work correctly. Also, if you are revamping the content on the new domain, you will have to create 404 pages for irrelevant content.
Before you try to redirect, map your old URLs to your new ones. This will be a helpful organizational tool in your efforts to reroute search traffic and site visitors to the most relevant pages on your newly minted domain.
Update All Links (Internal, External & Backlinks)
Ensure all of your website’s internal links redirect to the new domain. Links in the content, sidebars, and navigation menus all fall under this category. When you consistently interlink with relevant pages on the website, search engines can better comprehend your site’s structure.
Get in touch with other websites that have links to your previous domain. Keep them updated by asking them to link to the new domain. This will make sure that you keep the authority and vital backlinks.
Update XML Sitemap
Now, it’s time to focus on the new domain. Search engines have an easier time understanding a site with XML Sitemaps. If you want your website to rank higher in search engine results, this is a must-do for search engine optimization.
You must keep your site updated if you want search engines to index your new pages faster. A sitemap is like a blueprint of a website, which helps Google crawlers find and index the site and its content quickly.
Inform Google Officially
Creating 301 redirects will notify Google that you have moved to a new domain, but it would be best to be cautious. Submitting an official change of address notification is recommended not to affect SEO efforts. The application provides both the old and new domains so that Google understands correctly and indexes the new domain accordingly.
Monitor The New Domain’s Analytics
Once you successfully transfer a domain, it is time to monitor the new domain website. But it’s wise to keep a close eye on your site’s statistics and the Google Webmaster dashboard in the months after you move. Look for any problems, such as crawl difficulties or reductions in traffic. Fix any issues as soon as possible to keep SEO performance up.
Conclusion
The strategies shared in this guide will make achieving a seamless domain transfer move possible while maintaining valuable search rankings and organic traffic. Paying close attention to detail and taking the initiative may help you move to a new domain without a hitch, all while protecting your SEO authority and keeping your site visible online.
