Need to Change Your Domain?
So many folks are unaware of how devastating a domain name change can be… if it’s not handled properly. The search robots will freak out when they go looking for your website or blog and POOF! It’s gone. (At least to them.)
There is a way to handle a domain name change so that it doesn’t affect your rankings, and it’s known as a “Mod Rewrite.” For example, if you change the permalink structure in your WordPress blog, the blog automatically writes a small file to explain to robots what happened and where they can find the content presently.
This concept isn’t an easy one, but I found a great description and “how to” today in the Search Engine Journal blog by Sherice Jacob, entitled appropriately, “How to Change Your Domain While Keeping Your Search Engine Ranking.” This article explains .htaccess and what you need to do to appease the spiders. Very good explanation that is bound to help you if you’re planning to take this step.
brad
June 15th, 2009 at 5:59 pm #
I went trough this 3 weeks ago and ended up losing everything,but got it sorted out though.Wish i had seen this then so that I didn’t have to start all over again though!
Liz Marcuz
June 18th, 2009 at 10:19 pm #
Regarding changing the domain.
i have a phobia on that.
I know it will affect your ranking.
So its better if you’ll not.
Just be careful with your domains. Be sure that you made it right to avoid changes.
Pat Marcello
June 19th, 2009 at 2:55 pm #
Hi Liz,
Changing your domain name can affect your ranking, unless it’s done right. If you use Google Webmaster Tools and follow the instructions, and alert Google to the change, it will help as well.
- Pat