The steps to follow to ensure the domain name change of your site

admin

25 Feb, 2023

Ensuring a Smooth Domain Name Change for Your Website

A domain name change is sometimes necessary in the life of a website. There are several legitimate reasons that can lead to this complex task:

Changing domain extensions (.fr, .com, .org, .net).
Adapting to a new commercial name after a merger or rebranding.
Selecting a domain name more aligned with your company's activities.
Rebuilding your online presence and brand image.
And many more...

This change, regardless of the reason, is not to be taken lightly, especially in the eyes of search engines. It can have a significant impact on your current SEO performance, including your rankings and backlinks.

Step 1: Backup Your Old Site

Before embarking on a domain name change, it's crucial to regularly back up your site. These backups, often called "backups," ensure that you can quickly revert to your old site if the migration encounters any issues. This step is fundamental and should never be overlooked.

Step 2: Inventory Your Site's Backlinks and Update Them

The reputation of your website depends, in part, on the number and quality of backlinks it has. To avoid losing the positive impact of these backlinks during your domain name change, meticulously inventory them and take steps to ensure they all point to your new URLs.

Step 3: Implement 301 Redirects

To ensure that indexing robots can access your new URLs, you must set up 301 redirects for all the URLs on your site. These redirects should be specified one by one in a redirection file (usually .htaccess) on your site. The redirections must be consistent in terms of page content to maintain a positive user experience.

Step 4: Update Internal Links

Prior to launching your new site with the new domain name, thoroughly review all internal links and the overall linking structure of your site. Replicate this linking structure on the new domain to ensure indexing robots can navigate your site effectively and maintain semantic silos if you've implemented them in the old site.

Step 5: Notify Google and Other Tracking Tools

It's wise to inform Google and other tracking tools about your domain name change. In Google Search Console, use the "Change of address for the site" section to report the new domain name and follow the provided procedure. Make similar updates in all your other tracking tools for consistency.

Step 6: Create a Sitemap for the New URLs

A sitemap.xml file that lists all the new URLs of your site is essential for indexing robots. Place this file at the root of your site and submit it to Google Search Console to help discover the new URLs more efficiently.

Step 7: Test Before Going Live

If you have a pre-production version of the new site, ensure that internal links are consistent and functional to facilitate effective linking from the first indexing robot pass. Testing the essential elements, both SEO and non-SEO, before going live allows you to analyze the same elements after the launch to gauge success.

Step 8: Migrate the Site

If you're only changing the domain name, replicate the old site identically on the new domain. If you plan to redesign the site as well, refrain from launching the redesigned version immediately. Give indexing robots time to update the new domain name and then proceed with the site redesign. This two-stage process helps safeguard your SEO performance and avoid confusion for indexing robots.

Step 9: Create a 404 Page on the Old Domain

For security purposes, place a 404 page (HTTP 404 header) on the old domain. Include links to your new site and the new domain name on this page. This serves both user experience (UX) and search engine optimization (SEO) purposes.

Step 10: Monitor the New Domain

Keep a close eye on the indexing and positioning of the new domain using Google Search Console. This ongoing monitoring helps you ensure a smooth transition and maintain your SEO performance.

Step 11: Keep the Old Domain Active

Do not immediately delete your old domain once the new site is live. It may still receive external links that have not been updated. It takes time for the web to fully recognize the domain name change. You can abandon the old domain once Google has fully accounted for the new domain name and there are no remaining traces of the old domain.

Step 12: Communicate with Your Community and Customers

Inform your customers and community about the domain name change. Communication can be done via email or by creating an event to generate excitement around the change. This is an opportunity to discuss your values, new strategies, and any other changes. Building anticipation and renewing interest in your brand can also drive traffic.

Conclusion

Changing a domain name can significantly impact your website's SEO. Careful planning, including 301 redirects, notifying search engines, and updating backlinks, is essential for a successful domain name change. When done correctly, this change can benefit your long-term SEO efforts, improving rankings and visibility. However, if not managed well, it can result in a loss of traffic and rankings. Seeking the assistance of SEO experts is crucial to ensure a smooth domain name change.

</ div>

Finally, don't forget to share and follow us on Facebook & Instagram and Subscribe.