What needs to be changed when changing website domains

[simpson7647]

Hi all,

Recently I've changed website domains and would like to know if anything that needs to be changed has been missed :

Changed currently includes :

- Website data within - footer, contact us.. etc pages
- Website email address

After contacting my hosting company - I was told nothing else needs to be changed but thought I'd make sure.

Other things we've thought about include WHOIS, NOMINET.. does this need updating?

Anything else?

Many thanks all,

Ryan,

 

[RogerBa]

How about 301 redirects from the old domain to the new. As a very minimum the top level but ideally every page from the old site should redirect to the equivalent page on the new domain.

 

[Jason L]

How about 301 redirects from the old domain to the new

I second what RogerBa says. It's crucial that you do this - otherwise it's like starting over again with a whole new site. Also, after putting redirects in place make sure you test them - you need to check to make sure it's been done right.

Also, check title tags and meta-descriptions - you might make mention of the old domain in there

And check any analytics/ppc/webmaster tools etc. code is in place too

 

[simpson7647]

Thanks for your replies - the website hasn't been launched yet which is why we've gone with this change. So there's no need to direct any pages across etc.

Is there anything we need to change other than thoughts so far?

 

[OldWelshGuy]

You say you have already moved is that right?

Assuming this, here is what you should have done (off the top of my head so forgive anything missed)

If you are just changing the domain name but keeping the rest of the site, then you should use Apache mod rewrite redirect match to transfer any call from an existing page on the old domain, to the new domain returning a 301 header response.

if you have changed URL (after the domain) then you need to look to put in place redirections from your main pages as a bare minimum. it is CRUCIAL you put 301 redirects in place for ANY pages that have backlinks pointing to them.

If you can answer the question of what you actually changed was it the site or just the whole site, moved to a new domain, then I can answer better

 

[OldWelshGuy]

cross posted, wasted my time never mind info is there now for others.

 

[antropy]

Changed currently includes :

- Website data within - footer, contact us.. etc pages
- Website email address

What platform's it built on? Some might need database changes.