What Should You Do to Change Your Domain Name?

Key Takeaways

1. Secure copies of your site’s data and store externally to safeguard against migration issues.
2. Utilize your host’s domain management tools for smooth DNS and file handling.
3. Choose a domain that fits your brand, update DNS records, and transfer site content.
4. Use a 301 redirect to maintain SEO and ensure users are seamlessly directed to your new domain.
5. Notify Google about your domain change with Google Search Console to preserve search rankings and site visibility.

Changing a domain name is a significant decision that requires strategic planning and meticulous execution. Your current website likely has numerous valuable backlinks that you wouldn’t want to lose. However, the process of changing your domain name can be navigated with careful attention to detail. Whether you’ve found a new dream domain or are rebranding, specific steps can help ensure a smooth transition without affecting your site or visitors. This guide walks you through a concise 5-step process to change your domain without losing search engine rankings, ensuring a seamless experience for your website visitors.

Why Change Domain Name?

Here are 5 primary reasons that can compel you or certain businesses to consider switching domain names:

• rebranding: Situations such as company acquisitions or collaborations with brand agencies can lead to significant shifts in brand identity, necessitating a website address change. For example, if a company named “BillsBlueCollars” undergoes a rebranding to become “PawsPremium” and expands its product range, it might switch from a domain like “billsbluecollars.co” to “pawpremium.com” to better reflect the transformed brand and product offerings;
• relocating: Geographical changes can also prompt web name alterations. Moving from one country to another might require a change in the top-level domain (TLD). An actor relocating from a small US town to Toronto might switch from “.us” to “.ca” to reflect the new location and availability;
• availability of dream domain name: Sometimes, a desired domain name that was previously unavailable becomes accessible. Acquiring a shorter, more memorable site URL that was previously unattainable can significantly benefit a business. This opportunity might arise due to expired domain registrations or changes in ownership;
• legal issues or trademark conflicts: Legal disputes or trademark conflicts could compel a web name change to avoid potential legal entanglements. For instance, if a company faces trademark infringement issues related to its domain name, it might opt to change its web address from the disputed one to a new, compliant domain to mitigate legal risks and ensure compliance with intellectual property laws;
• fresh start approach: Sometimes, a site URL change can signify a fresh start for a brand or an individual. For instance, if a business has faced negative publicity or controversies associated with its previous domain, switching to a new web address provides an opportunity to rebrand and distance itself from past issues. This change can project a positive image and signal a new beginning to customers and stakeholders.

To facilitate this process, Trustname offers various domain extensions, guidance on domain acquisition, and tools like the WHOIS lookup to explore available web names. Trustname also provides resources such as guides on selecting the perfect domain, helping you and your business make informed choices.

5 Steps for Changing a Domain Name

If you’re seeking guidance on how to change your website name without disrupting your site or wondering, “How can I switch domain names without affecting my customers?” changing your web name isn’t just about swapping one URL for another. It involves a series of meticulous steps to ensure a smooth transition without compromising your online presence. Below are the key steps to follow covered in this guide for a successful domain name change:

1. Back up your site
2. Explore your domain host’s features
3. Choose a new domain name and start the migration
4. Use a 301 redirect to your new domain name
5. Let Google know about a domain name switch

Each stage discussed below requires attention to detail and strategic planning to safeguard your data and prevent disruptions to the user experience. But does changing domain name affect SEO? Continue reading to know more.

1. Back Up Your Site

Backing up your website before making domain-related changes is critical to safeguard your website’s content and data. This involves duplicating your site’s files, databases, and configurations and storing them in an external location apart from your hosting server. Losing valuable information during a domain migration could significantly affect your business, making backups essential as a fail-safe to retrieve critical data in case of errors or technical glitches.

Different backup types, such as full, incremental, and database backups, cater to various content elements. Backup methods include manual downloads or automated scheduling through hosting tools or plugins. Storing backups externally, in cloud storage or external drives, ensures data safety in case of server issues or breaches. Testing backup integrity by attempting to restore your website in a test environment validates its functionality and completeness. 

2. Explore Your Domain Host’s Features

Understanding the features provided by domain hosting services, like Trustname, is crucial for those considering a domain name change. These platforms offer domain management tools facilitating efficient handling of Domain Name System (DNS) records, domain settings, and file management during migration. It’s essential to grasp DNS management, including editing address (A), canonical name (CNAME), mail exchange (MX), and text (TXT) records, as they direct website traffic post-migration. Moreover, file management options such as file transfer protocol (FTP) access enable smooth data transfer between old and new web addresses.

Can you change the domain name alone without assistance? Well, renaming a domain name is possible, but if you find it challenging, utilizing tutorials and support resources and practicing in a safe environment before implementing changes on the live website can further enhance proficiency in leveraging these hosting features.

3. Choose a New Domain Name and Start the Migration

Selecting a new domain name is a critical decision that significantly affects your online presence. The chosen name should align seamlessly with your brand identity, be easy to remember, and reflect the essence of your business. It’s crucial to consider various factors while making this choice to ensure it resonates well with your audience.

To assist you in choosing the perfect domain name, our comprehensive guide “10 Tips on How to Choose a Domain Name” provides invaluable insights and practical advice. Here are some helpful tips featured in the guide:

• reflect your brand: The web name should embody your brand’s identity, values, and the products or services you offer. This alignment helps in creating a cohesive online presence and connecting with your target audience effectively;
• keep it simple and memorable: Opt for a name that is simple, easy to spell, pronounce, and remember. Shorter names are more user-friendly and tend to stick better in people’s minds;
• consider domain extension: Choose an extension that suits your business type. While “.com” is widely recognized, other extensions like “.net” and “.org” or specific country codes (“.uk,” “.ca”) can also work well if they align with your brand. Country-specific domain extensions (ccTLDs) such as “.co.uk” or “.co.us” enhance local SEO visibility and credibility in targeted markets;
• research availability: Before finalizing a web name, check its availability to avoid potential copyright issues or trademark infringements. Various online tools can help check domain availability. Trustname can help you search for the availability of your dream site address, and you can register it at a low cost. With WHOIS protection and other additional features, you can secure your domain from potential threats;
• think long-term: Anticipate the future growth and expansion of your business. Ensure that the chosen domain name is flexible enough to accommodate potential changes or new ventures;
• test and get feedback: Before settling on a domain name, seek opinions from friends, colleagues, or potential customers. Feedback can provide valuable insights into how your site URL is perceived and understood.

Once the new domain name is chosen, the next crucial step involves meticulous planning and execution of the migration process. This includes technical tasks such as updating DNS records, transferring website content (text, images, videos), and adjusting website configurations to ensure a smooth transition to the new domain while preserving SEO rankings and maintaining a positive user experience. Seeking professional guidance or assistance during this phase can be valuable to avoid any potential challenges.

4. Use a 301 Redirect to Your New Domain Name

Implementing a 301 redirect is another critical step when changing your domain name, and it plays a paramount role in maintaining your website’s integrity, SEO value, and user experience. The “301” status code signifies that the requested page has been permanently moved to a new location. For simplicity and understanding, let’s give the reasons why this process is essential and how it benefits your website during a domain name change:

• preservation of SEO value: When you change your site URL without a proper redirect strategy, search engines like Google treat your new domain as a completely different entity. This can result in a loss of the SEO authority, backlinks, and indexed pages your old domain had accrued over time. However, by using a 301 redirect, you’re effectively transferring this accumulated SEO value from your old site address to the new one. It tells search engines that your content has moved permanently, allowing them to attribute the ranking signals and authority of the old pages to the corresponding pages on the new domain;
• retention of traffic and user experience: Without a redirect in place, visitors trying to access your old domain’s pages might encounter broken links or a “404 – Page Not Found” error. This can lead to frustration, a negative user experience, and a significant drop in traffic. A 301 redirect ensures that when users click on old links or try to access pages from your previous site address, they are automatically redirected to the equivalent pages on your new domain. This seamless transition helps maintain user trust and ensures they land on the correct content, reducing bounce rates and preserving traffic flow;
• maintenance of link equity and backlinks: Backlinks are valuable for SEO, representing trust and authority from other websites. When you change your site URL, it’s crucial to preserve these backlinks. Implementing a 301 redirect ensures that the incoming links to your old domain are redirected to the corresponding pages on your new site address. This action conserves the link equity built over time and prevents the loss of valuable backlinks, aiding in maintaining your website’s authority in search engine algorithms.

Additionally, if there have been changes in URL structures or site organization, mapping ensures that redirections lead users and search engines to the most appropriate new content.

5. Let Google Know About a Domain Name Switch

Informing Google about your web address change is crucial for maintaining visibility. Using Google Search Console effectively during this process ensures a smooth transition, preventing potential penalties from duplicate content issues and preserving your website’s search rankings.

To initiate the process in Google Search Console, start by verifying both the old and new site addresses. This allows access to essential tools within the console. Additionally, submitting an updated sitemap for the new domain is necessary, aiding Google in efficient crawling and indexing of new URLs. Utilize the “Fetch as Google” feature to prompt Google’s crawlers to revisit your website, ensuring that the new URLs are indexed promptly.

Make use of the specialized “Change of Address” tool within Google Search Console. This tool specifically informs Google about your site’s migration to a new domain, facilitating a smoother transition without sacrificing search rankings.

Continuous monitoring of reports within Google Search Console, such as Performance and Index Coverage, is essential. Regular checks help identify and address any errors or issues related to the site address migration promptly, ensuring a seamless transition and preserving your website’s visibility in search results.

Risks When Renaming a Domain Name

Changing a site URL carries various risks with significant business implications. It requires exhaustive planning and considerable financial investment, potentially confusing existing customers and disrupting brand continuity.

Furthermore, it can immediately affect search engine rankings, traffic, and valuable backlinks, influencing the site’s authority and SEO performance. Technical issues and potential customer confusion can lead to website downtime and reduced trust in the brand.

Legal considerations, like trademark infringement, are crucial. Mitigating these risks requires thorough planning, transparent communication, proper redirects, and vigilant post-migration monitoring to ensure a successful transition to a new domain.

Change Domain Name If Your Business Really Needs It

Changing your web address while preserving your Google ranking can seem like a complex and frustrating task, but following the steps detailed in this guide empowers a smooth transition.

You can maintain your Google ranking and ensure proper website functionality within a short timeframe, often just a few hours.

Besides, changing a domain name is an expensive and time-consuming endeavor. Therefore, it requires careful consideration and planning. Starting with a well-thought-out domain name choice from the beginning can prevent future disruptions and challenges.