Are you considering changing your domain name but concerned about losing SEO rankings? Many companies opt for a domain name change to build a better brand. But the fear of losing SEO rankings keeps them from taking the plunge. Fortunately, it is possible to change your domain name without taking a hit on search engine optimisation. 

This blog will explore the necessary steps to consider in changing your domain name without sacrificing SEO rankings.

1. Carefully Choose a Domain Name

When choosing a domain name, it is essential to carefully consider the implications of picking one that aligns with your business goals. Changing a domain name can be risky, but it can benefit your website’s SEO rankings if done correctly.

There are several ways to transition from an old domain name to a new one without losing your SEO rankings. The most crucial step is to ensure that you create 301 redirects from all of your old domain’s pages to your new domain’s pages. This will tell search engines that the old URLs have permanently moved to a new location and that any existing rankings should be passed over to the new domain. 

2. Audit Referring Domains and Backlinks

When auditing referring domains and backlinks, website owners should be aware of any changes in language or structure that would suggest that the site has changed hands or started anew. Being mindful of such changes will help you avoid losing traffic to the old domain name by maintaining and even improving your SEO ranking through the transfer.

Once you have identified any changes to the domain name or structure, you can begin searching for new referring domains and establishing new backlinks to increase traffic to the new domain. You can use various tools available online to track existing backlinks and generate those that are relevant to the content present on your website. 

3. Migrate the Website to Your New Domain

Creating an exact copy of your current website on the new domain is essential before making any changes. It is also necessary to create redirects from all the pages on your old domain to their corresponding pages on the new domain to ensure that if someone goes directly to one of the pages on the old website, they will be taken to their counterpart on the new domain. 

Additionally, ensure all internal links on your old website point toward the new domain instead of the old one. Once both websites are set up, you can transfer content from the old domain to the new one. Try to maintain the same structure and hierarchy used on the old website to avoid confusing search engine crawlers. Also, remember any inbound links pointing toward the old domain, as these need to be updated with links pointing toward the new domain.

4. Update the Search Console and Online SEO

This includes ensuring each page has unique content, using keywords, and creating backlinks from other authoritative sites. Additionally, all 301 redirects should be correctly implemented so that search engine crawlers can adequately index the new site.

Additionally, you will need to update your Google Search Console account with the new domain name. This will allow Googlebot to start crawling the new site and updating the index accordingly. It is also essential to submit a sitemap listing all your pages on the new site, as this will help Googlebot discover the new content more quickly.

Conclusion

Changing domain names can be complicated and time-consuming, but taking the necessary steps can help keep your SEO rankings in check. Remember, the key to success is proper planning and execution of the steps outlined in this blog. With the right approach, you can change your domain name without losing your hard-earned SEO progress.

If you’re searching for a digital agency in Manchester to help change your domain name without sacrificing SEO, Underline is here for you! We provide services related to domain name transfer, such as registration, monitoring, maintenance, etc., depending on your needs! Contact us now!