Preserving what you built.
WHEN THIS HAPPENS
A rebrand, a business name change, moving from a free subdomain, or consolidating sites.
THE ESSENTIAL STEPS
- Set up the new site fully before switching.
- Map every old URL to its new equivalent.
- Implement 301 redirects from every old URL, in one hop.
- Keep the old domain registered and the redirects running. Indefinitely if you can afford it, and for at least a year.
- Add the new domain in Search Console.
- Use the change of address tool, which tells the engine the move is deliberate.
- Update internal links to the new domain.
- Submit the new sitemap.
WHAT ELSE TO UPDATE
Your business profile Social media profiles Directory listings Email signatures Anyone linking to you, where you can ask
WHAT TO EXPECT
A dip, then recovery over weeks to months. A well-executed domain move preserves most ranking.
THE FATAL MISTAKE
Letting the old domain expire. Every redirect stops, every link breaks, and the accumulated authority is lost permanently.
