Whether you’re rebranding, enhancing search engine optimization (SEO), or choosing a better top-level domain, changing your domain name could be a smart move. However, you can’t just change your domain name. You have to purchase a new one first.
The process might seem daunting, but this guide will provide everything you need to know, from why changing your domain name is critical to the technical steps involved, and even how to handle the potential risks.
Why is changing your domain important?
There are a few scenarios when changing your domain name might make sense.
Business rebranding
Rebranding may trigger a shift in your business goals, targeting new markets or expanding products or services. It’s not just about changing your logo or tweaking a marketing strategy—it’s about aligning every aspect of your business with the new direction—including your domain.
Your domain is the first thing customers see. If it doesn’t match your current direction, it can quickly turn them away. An outdated or mismatched domain can create doubt, and customers may wonder if your business fits today’s market.
A domain that reflects your updated goals can set the right tone and help establish trust with your audience immediately.
SEO Issues with the current domain
Your domain name plays a role in your SEO strategy. If your current one isn’t performing well, it could be due to several reasons. It might be too generic, not keyword-optimized, or difficult for users to remember.
SEO isn’t just about what’s on your site but how your desired domain name aligns with search queries. For example, changing your domain to include relevant keywords could significantly boost your visibility. This is most true if your business name doesn’t match the search terms people use to find services like those that you offer.
A domain that’s easy to remember and spell can help improve your click-through rates. If people struggle to find your site due to confusing terms or spellings, it won’t matter how well-optimized your website is.
Trademark issues
Changing your domain may be necessary if it closely resembles a competitor’s trademarked domain. Otherwise, you may be liable for trademark infringement.
Trademark issues are key to avoiding legal problems and building credibility. However, confusion harms your reputation and makes it hard to establish trust in your customers.
When you register your domain, it’s important to check for potential trademark conflicts to ensure your brand stays protected and avoids costly legal issues down the road.
Merging domains
Businesses also benefit from merging multiple domains into one. If you have separate domain names for different products or services, combining them into a single domain can improve your SEO, reduce customer confusion, and strengthen your brand’s online presence.
It directs all traffic to one website, helping prevent lost organic traffic and search engine rankings. It also simplifies the process of managing and monitoring your online presence.
When merging domains, it’s essential to carefully plan the transition to avoid issues or confusing your existing customers.
6 steps to change your domain
Step 1. Prepare for the transition
Before diving into the technical aspects, preparing your website and business is crucial. Start by creating a comprehensive website backup, including all files, databases, and important website data. This will act as a safety net in case of any unforeseen issues during the transfer process.
Next, inform clients and partners about the upcoming domain change. This will help manage expectations and avoid confusion.
Update your branding materials, such as your logo, business cards, letterheads, and other marketing materials, to reflect the new domain name. This ensures brand consistency across all your marketing channels.
Step 2: Purchase your new domain and transfer it
This step involves choosing and purchasing your new domain name. Ensure you select a domain that aligns with your branding and is easy for customers to remember.
You will need to complete this purchase through a domain registrar, where you can check the availability of your desired domain name and buy it if it is available.
Transferring your domain is crucial when moving a domain to a new registrar. It depends on where you bought your new domain and where your others are managed. If both domains are from the same registrar, simply point your hosting to the new domain. There’s no need for a full transfer.
After the transfer, update your Domain name system (DNS) settings to match the correct host and ensure your SSL certificates are ready for security.
Finally, check your hosting provider’s settings to ensure compatibility with the new domain name. This will prevent technical issues that could disrupt your website’s availability.
Step 3. Set up redirects
To ensure a seamless transition for your visitors and search engines, set up redirects from your old domain to the new one.
Implement 301 redirects from your previous domain to the corresponding pages on your new domain. This tells search engines that the content has permanently moved to a new location, preserving your SEO attributes.
Thoroughly test your redirects to ensure they’re working correctly. Use a tool like Screaming Frog SEO Spider to identify and fix any broken redirects.
To improve your website’s user experience and prevent other search engines penalties, use a website crawler to identify and fix any broken links.
Step 4. Update internal and external links
To maintain a consistent user experience and avoid broken links, update all internal links on your website to reflect the new domain name.
Reach out to other websites that link to your previous domain name and request updates. This will help maintain your website’s visibility and authority.
Step 5. Update search engine settings
To help search engines discover and index your new domain, update your website’s URL in Google Search Console and other webmaster tools. Submit a new sitemap to help search engines index your website’s pages. This will improve your website’s visibility in search results.
Step 6. Monitor performance and fix issues
To maintain a strong online presence, monitor your website’s traffic and SEO performance using tools like Google Analytics.
If you notice any issues, such as broken links, slow load times, or redirect errors, address them promptly. This will help maintain a positive user experience and prevent search engine penalties.
Regularly check your website’s SEO performance and take steps to improve it. This will help ensure that your website continues to rank well in search engine results.
Risks of changing your domain name
While changing your domain name can bring benefits, it’s not without risks. Here are a few things to watch out for.
Loss of SEO ranking
If not done correctly, changing your domain name can temporarily hurt your SEO rankings. If you don’t set up redirects properly or fail to inform Google, your site might lose its search engine visibility. But with proper planning and execution, this risk can be minimized.
Confusion among visitors
Changing your domain can confuse your existing customers, especially if they’re used to your old address. Clear communication is essential. Use email newsletters, social media posts, and on-site banners to let your audience know about the change.
Technical glitches
If your hosting service or content management system isn’t configured to handle the domain change, you could face downtime, broken links, or errors that affect user experience. It’s crucial to work closely with your web host or developer to make sure everything is set up correctly.
Why you need to back up your data when changing your domain
- Preserving website content. Backing up your website ensures that all your content, including text, images, and code, is safe. In case of any unforeseen issues during the domain transfer or technical glitches, you can restore your website to its previous state.
- Maintaining SEO rankings. A well-executed domain migration can help preserve your website’s SEO rankings. However, data backups provide a safety net in case of unforeseen circumstances that might impact your website’s visibility.
- Protecting sensitive information. If your website handles sensitive user data, such as personal information or financial details, regular backups are essential to comply with data privacy regulations and protect your users’ information.
- Minimizing downtime. In the event of technical difficulties or human error, having a recent backup can help you quickly restore your website and minimize downtime. This reduces potential losses in revenue and customer satisfaction.
- Facilitating disaster recovery. In the event of a natural disaster or cyberattack, having a reliable backup can help you recover your data and restore your website. This can significantly reduce the impact of such events on your business.
4 Key considerations before changing your domain name
- Legal and trademark implications. Before making the change, ensure your new domain name doesn’t infringe on any existing website. This could lead to legal issues and damage your brand reputation. Additionally, confirm ownership and control over the new domain name, and be aware of potential domain disputes, especially for competitive or sought-after names.
- Technical considerations. A smooth technical transition is crucial. Ensure that the new domain doesn’t disrupt existing website features like email addresses and integrations. Update or renew SSL certificates to maintain secure connections.
- User experience. Consider how your customers will react to the change. A clear communication strategy is essential. Notify users via email, social media, and on-site messaging. Be prepared for increased customer support queries and provide clear guidance.
- Data backup and migration. Before making the change, ensure you have a comprehensive backup of your website. This will help you recover from any unexpected issues or mistakes during the migration process.
Match your domain with your brand
Changing your domain name is manageable. First, understand the reasons. Then, follow the steps and plan well. Whether rebranding, fixing SEO, or upgrading, a new name elevates your business. Remember to do it carefully and strategically. A well-chosen domain name can be a powerful tool for your business. If your current domain doesn’t align with your brand or isn’t optimized for SEO, it’s time to make a change.
To ensure a smooth transition, consider hiring Web.com’s SEO services. While you can implement SEO yourself, you’ll need extensive knowledge and time to perform it effectively. Our experts can perform keyword research and optimize your website to improve customer experience.
With Web.com, you can easily switch to a domain that truly represents your brand.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Yes, you can change your existing domain name. This typically involves registering a new domain and then updating your website and branding materials to reflect the new name.
Changing a domain name can be a strategic move if you’re rebranding or if your current name no longer reflects your business. However, it can temporarily affect your SEO and brand recognition, so it should be done with careful planning.
The cost to change a domain name itself is just the price of registering a new domain, which can vary depending on the registrar and the domain extension you choose. Keep in mind there may be additional costs for updating marketing materials and potential SEO impacts.
Changing a domain name is not technically difficult but involves several steps. You’ll need to register the new domain, configure your hosting to point to the new domain, and update any references to the old domain across your digital assets. It’s also important to set up redirects from your old domain to the new one to retain traffic and SEO value.