Buy new domain or use existing (updating website)

[Nickki]

I know it is usual to update a website and reinstall it in the same place, however I have a massiver website with around 200 pages that is 9 years old and well established, lots of links to it, good presence on google etc. The new website I have created will have completely different url names and only around 15 pages. I own both versions of the website i.e. mysite.co.uk (current site) and mysite.com (dormant just now) - what would be the best way to upload this new website?

1. Use existing .co.uk domain and remove all pages no longer used (losing lots of links and visitors to those pages but keeping exsting domain name presence on google).
2. Use existing .co.uk domain and leave unused pages there but change them to an 'oops this page has moved, new site here, please update bookmarks etc'
3. Use new .com domain and change pages on old site to redirect to new one?

Any help appreciated.
Thanks

 

[arnydnxluk]

The correct way to do this from a search engine optimisation perspective is to setup "permanent" (301) redirections from the existing page locations to the new locations.

Search engines will take note of these redirections, replacing the previous page locations with the new ones and hopefully retaining most of your rankings. There will probably be a temporary dip in your search rankings but it should mostly bounce back to normal if done properly.

Likewise anyone clicking old links, bookmarks etc will then be redirected to the correct page on your new website.

 

[Nickki]

That's great - thank you so much for your quick reply

 

[Chris Fickling Design]

In my opinion it's also essential that the old site is verified properly in Google Search Console. The verify the new site and let google know that the old site has changed domain name to the new one. Read on... https://support.google.com/webmasters/answer/83106?hl=en

 

[HBC]

What everyone above said, plus a note to say you don't necessarily need 2 sets of hosting expenses - this can be done using just one hosting where both domains go to the same place. Just a heads up.

 

[webhostuk]

Yes park domain is the option, but still for SEO its always good to use 301 redirect as suggest above.

 

[MaureenP]

If you want to update your old website then also it is possible. Update old website with fresh content & design. If you found any pages which are not useful to you then remove it first and deindex it from google. You can build new urls in old site too and redirect old urls to new one.

 

[Richard Edwards]

"If you found any pages which are not useful to you then remove it first and deindex it from google" - do not deindex them from google by request. You will lose the SEO impact of anywhere linking to the old domain in Googles eyes.

I would use the old domain, and ignore your new one if the only difference is the extension. Your old domain will have a lot of 'Trust' value in search engines which you will lose, and its a huge factor in your rankings. 301 redirecting your old links will help save some of it, but it will take a while for that Trust to come back.

Personally, keep your old domain, put the new site on there, 301 redirect your old pages to similar pages on the new site if there is one, otherwise the homepage. Keep an eye on Webmaster Tools for 404 errors and add those redirects