Transferring a website to a new domain is an important step that can affect the online presence of your business. Properly executing this task will help you avoid losing traffic, search engine rankings, and customers. In this article, we will discuss the key steps for transferring a website to a new domain without harming your online business.
Moving a website to a new domain requires careful planning and implementation of several key stages. Here are the main steps you need to take for a successful transition of your site to a new domain:
1. Preparation for the transfer: The first step is to prepare for the transfer. Make sure you have full access to both domains, the old and the new one. Also, back up all files and databases of your current site so that you can quickly restore data in case of any issues.
2. Creating a sitemap: Before transferring the site to a new domain, create a sitemap that includes all the pages for which you will need to set up redirects. This will help you not to miss any pages and retain the current site structure on the new domain.
3. Notifying search engines: Before transferring the site to a new domain, notify search engines about the upcoming change. To do this, register with Google Search Console and Yandex Webmaster, and add both domains to your account. Create a sitemap for the new domain and submit it to search engines.
4. Setting up redirects: Set up 301 redirects for all pages of the old site to the corresponding pages of the new domain. This will help search engines and users transition to the new site without losing rankings and traffic. Also, don't forget to set up a redirect to the domain without "www," if necessary.
5. Checking the redirects: After setting up the redirects, make sure they are working correctly. Follow several links from the current site to the new domain and ensure that the redirection is taking place correctly without cyclic links or errors.
6. Updating links and resources: Go through all pages of the new site and update all links and resources to point to the new domain. This is important to maintain the integrity of the site and avoid 404 errors.
7. Monitoring traffic and indexing: After transferring the site to a new domain, monitor the traffic and indexing of pages in search engines. Use analytics tools to track changes and respond to issues promptly.
8. Updating social links and bookmarks: After transferring the site to a new domain, update all links in social networks and bookmarks so that users can easily find your site. This will also help you avoid traffic losses from social platforms.
A properly executed transfer of a site to a new domain will allow you to maintain your online presence without losses. Follow the steps outlined above and be prepared to address any potential issues at each stage of the move. Remember that it is essential not only to transfer the site to a new domain but also to continue developing and promoting your online business to attract new customers and retain existing ones.