How to Change Your Website Domain Name

Changing your domain name—sounds simple, right? The real question is, “Should a business ever change its domain name?” It’s a loaded question, and the answer is far from simple. Just as businesses evolve, so too should your digital brand. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves; this isn’t a decision to be made lightly, and you can royally mess up many things in the process when changing domain names.

Changing your domain name is a multi-step process akin to remodeling an entire retail store. It’s not just about slapping on a new URL and calling it a day. It involves a series of intricate steps: website backups, SEO considerations, 301 redirects, Google Search console work, etc.

In this guide, we’ll examine the technician details and the strategic planning involved in changing domain names. So, if you’re contemplating such a monumental shift in your brand, read on because if you miss some of these steps, you could send your business to the 1990s (basically the Stone Age for websites).

When Should You Change Your Domain Name?

There are several occasions when it’s necessary for brands to change their domain name, these include:

Rebranding

First on the list is business rebranding. In that situation, you likely should change your domain name to the new brand. If your new brand doesn’t reflect your current domain, then you should make the new domain name part of the brand. The simple fact is that your domain name matters.

A recent study found that using a signature color can increase brand recognition by 80%. If a color can do that – imagine what your domain name will do for your band.

Business Expansion

Next up on the reasons to change your domain name is expansion. You’ve conquered your local market and are now eyeing a national market. Your current domain might be too localized, tethering you to a specific geographical area. It’s time to think bigger, broader.

Steps to Prepare for a Domain Name Change

So, you’re convinced that a domain name change is in the cards. Excellent! But before you jump into the deep end, let’s talk first steps. Think of this as the blueprint phase of building a house; you wouldn’t start without a solid plan, would you? A plan will be your road map for your entire project.

1. Backup Your Website

First and foremost, let’s discuss website backups. This isn’t just a checkbox on a to-do list; it’s your safety net. Imagine spending years building your online presence, only to lose it all in a botched domain transition.

A comprehensive backup is your insurance policy against such catastrophes. It’s akin to the archival systems that preserve the integrity of long-standing institutions. Don’t skip this step; your future self will thank you. If you don’t know how to do it, reach out to your hosting company.

2. Decide Who is Altering Your Site Structure

Now, onto the architects of this operation—those responsible for altering your website structure and sitemap. Are you handling this in-house, or are you outsourcing to web experts? Each has its merits and drawbacks.

Going in-house provides control but demands expertise. Outsourcing offers proficiency but at a cost and with less direct oversight. It’s a strategic decision, much like choosing between organic growth and acquisition in business expansion. Here’s a simple rule, though: If you don’t know what you’re doing – hire an expert.

3. Ensure DNS Access

Last but not least, DNS access. This is the key to your online kingdom, the control panel from which your entire website is directed. If you don’t have access or if it’s held by a third party, you’re essentially flying blind.

It’s like trying to steer a ship without access to the navigation system. Ensure you have this access well in advance to avoid any eleventh-hour hiccups.

In summary, preparation is more than half the battle in changing your domain name. It’s the foundation upon which the success of this entire operation rests. In the upcoming sections, we’ll delve into the technical steps to execute this change seamlessly. But for now, take the time to prepare; it’s an investment that will pay dividends in the long run.

Step-by-Step Guide for Changing a Domain Name

Step 1: Choose a New Domain Name

Alright, you’ve got your backups in place, your team is ready, and you have DNS access. The stage is set. But what’s in a name? As it turns out, quite a lot. Choosing the right new domain name is like selecting the title for a groundbreaking novel; it sets the tone for everything that follows.

Factors to Consider: Readability, Memorability, and SEO

First, let’s talk about the big 3 of domain name selection:

• Readability

• Memorability

• SEO

These are the pillars that will hold up your new online identity. Readability ensures that your audience can easily type and share your domain. Memorability is what keeps you in the minds of your visitors long after they’ve left your site. And SEO? Well, that’s the secret sauce that makes your domain name not just a name, but a rank-climbing, traffic-driving machine.

How to Check Domain Name Availability

Now, you might have brainstormed the perfect name, but is it available? Is the.com gone, but the .net is available?  Let’s face it, finding an available .com or .net is like finding a needle in a haystack. They’re often snatched up, either in use or hoarded like digital real estate. But here’s the kicker: the TLD landscape has expanded far beyond these usual suspects.

There are multiple options available for businesses to use, though. You can use .store, app, .blog, .guru, and even .ninja. There are hundreds of options. So, if you find that the .com or .net of your dreams is taken, don’t stress.

The expanding universe of TLDs offers multiple options that might even align better with your brand’s persona. It’s a brave new world out there in the domain name game; don’t be afraid to explore it.

Tips for Creative Domain Naming

Finally, let’s get creative. If your first-choice domain name is taken, don’t despair. This is your chance to think outside the box. Consider variations, abbreviations, or even coining a new term altogether.

Remember, names like “Google” and “Spotify” were once just figments of imagination. Your creative domain name could be the next big brand waiting to happen.

In a nutshell, choosing the right new domain name is a blend of science and art, strategy and creativity. It’s a decision that will echo through the future of your business, shaping your online identity and, by extension, your brand as a whole.

In the next sections, we’ll tackle the technicalities of making the switch. But for now, take your time in this crucial selection process; it’s a decision that deserves your full attention.

Step 2: Implement the Domain Name Change

So, you’ve done your homework, picked the perfect new domain name, and you’re ready to pull the trigger. But how do you actually go about implementing this monumental change?

Let’s break it down into a step-by-step guide, using WordPress as our example platform. Trust me, it’s not as daunting as it sounds.

How to Link the New Domain to Your WordPress Website

How to Link the New Domain to Your Squarespace Website

Step 3: Adjust the DNS Settings

Step 4: Redirect Old Content

So, you’ve successfully linked your new domain name to your website—be it on WordPress or Squarespace. Fantastic! But what about your old content?

You’ve spent years building up a library of valuable articles, posts, and pages. The last thing you want is for that to go to waste. This is where the art of redirection comes into play.

Importance of 301 Redirects

Let’s kick things off with 301 redirects. These aren’t just any redirects; they’re the gold standard in ensuring that your old content doesn’t vanish into the digital ether. Think of 301 redirects as the forwarding address you’d set up when moving homes. It ensures that all your mail—aka web traffic—gets rerouted to your new location.

And here’s the kicker: It also tells search engines that your content has permanently moved, helping you preserve those hard-earned SEO rankings.

How to Set Up Redirects

Setting up 301 redirects can seem daunting, but it’s a straightforward process if you get to the right spot. It’s critical when changing domain names, though.

On WordPress, you can use plugins like ‘Redirection’ to manage these. On Squarespace, it’s a matter of adding URL mappings in the ‘Advanced’ settings.

Step 5: Update the Google Search Console Settings

Google Search Console is your go-to tool for communicating with Google and search engine data/ranking. Here’s how to use it for your domain name change:

The SEO Implications of Changing Your Domain Name

Now, let’s talk about the elephant in the room: SEO implications when changing domain names. Changing your domain name without proper planning is like rebranding without a marketing strategy—it can do more harm than good. The good news? If you’ve followed the steps outlined in this guide, especially the part about 301 redirects, you’re already ahead of the game compared to most people.

These redirects not only guide users to your new domain but also pass on the SEO equity from your old domain to the new one. It’s like transferring your credit history when you switch banks; it follows you. However, be prepared for some fluctuations in your rankings in the short term.

Summary

So there it is – a comprehensive guide on changing domain names. If it’s overwhelming – that’s okay. There are plenty of web agencies that can guide you through the process or even handle it for you.

Remember, a domain name isn’t just a URL; it’s your online brand, your digital storefront, and your first impression all rolled into one. Changing a domain name is a big decision, but with the right steps, it can be a monumental upgrade for your brand.