Businesses change domains for good reasons: a rebrand, a shorter name finally became available, or a move from a local ending to a .com. Search rankings can survive the move, but only if you plan it.
The golden rule: page-to-page 301 redirects
Every old URL must permanently redirect (HTTP 301) to the equivalent page on the new domain. Not to the home page: to the matching page. That tells search engines the page has moved, and passes most of its reputation along.
A practical plan
- List your URLs. Export every page from your sitemap and analytics, especially pages that receive traffic or links.
- Map old to new. Keep the same paths where possible, so yourbusiness-old.com/services becomes yourbusiness.com/services.
- Set up the new domain with hosting and an SSL certificate before the switch.
- Turn on redirects on the old domain, all at once.
- Tell search engines. Verify both domains in Google Search Console and Bing Webmaster Tools, submit the new sitemap and use Google's change-of-address tool.
- Update what you control: social profiles, email signatures, directory listings and ads.
Keep the old domain
Do not let the old domain expire. Keep it registered and redirecting for years; links in old articles, emails and printed material will keep arriving.
What about email?
If your email addresses use the old domain, plan the email move separately. Set up mailboxes on the new domain, keep receiving on the old addresses for a while, and update your signature so people learn the new address.
Expect a short dip
Rankings may move a little for a few weeks while search engines process the change. With complete redirects, they normally recover.
How IDX helps
Register the new name on the IDX domains page, and our team can help set up hosting, redirects and business email on the new domain so nothing is left behind.
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