Will domain affect SEO

[Curtis]

Hello there. I am looking to change our company name to something slightly different and need to therefore change the domain on our website. However, by replacing it with a new domain and making the current a sub-domain, will this affect SEO or rankings etc.

We currently rank 1 for 'printing hull' and first page for a few print related terms in the Hull area. We would certainly want to keep that as the domain is only going to be changing to www.printinhull.co.uk we're dropping the 'g'.

Any advice would be appreciated

 

[Eccy]

http://www.google.com/support/webmasters/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=83105

http://www.google.com/support/webmasters/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=83106

The above are useful links on the subject.

 

[amrish2338]

yes domain affetc seo

 

[newsvend]

The change in domain will affect the SEO rankings. By how much who knows, but probably quite a lot. Exacerbated by the fact you are not 301 redirecting old pages to new pages.

Another option is to keep the old site as it is and create a whole new site on the new domain, ensuring that all content is rewritten. Long term it will build and when you are happy enough with rankings on the new site you can 301 the old one over.

 

[Business1Solutions]

Yes, it will definitely effect it.

What are you think of changing the company name to?

 

[cmcp]

You're number 1, don't risk losing that by making any changes.

Pre-"places" it would be wise to start your new site on a new domain and steal the second spot also. 3 4 and 5 with subsequent sites.

Now with the introduction of "places", you'll have to learn how it works before getting multiple sites up there.

But the upshot is don't risk you current ranking with such drastic changes. IMO

 

[MASSEY]

I think its pointless to change to be honest.

You should just point the printin at the printing.

You are taking a risk with your rank.

 

[Business1Solutions]

Just read your post properly Don't change it!

 

[directmarketingadvice]

We would certainly want to keep that as the domain is only going to be changing to www.printinhull.co.uk we're dropping the 'g'.

Any advice would be appreciated

Changing from "printing hull" to "printin hull"? Why?

Steve

 

[I, Brian]

Google's giving you the benefit for an exact match keyword domain at present - the danger is that Google will not give you that benefit if you change the domain.

However, a possible solution would be for you to build a new website on printinhull.co.uk, and leave printinghull.co.uk solely to claim business from a SEO perspective.

Certainly nothing wrong with have two business websites - and older, and a more current on - and save you from losing your position.

 

[SpringerWebsiteDesign]

Google's giving you the benefit for an exact match keyword domain at present - the danger is that Google will not give you that benefit if you change the domain.

However, a possible solution would be for you to build a new website on printinhull.co.uk, and leave printinghull.co.uk solely to claim business from a SEO perspective.

Certainly nothing wrong with have two business websites - and older, and a more current on - and save you from losing your position.

Exactly what I would do why change something that works, and risk loosing business.

Why are you dropping the g? seems odd to me.

 

[Business1Solutions]

Agree with everyone here...why change when you have a perfect company name and domain? If you left out the "g" I would think you had misspelt it.

If you are trying to get more domains why don't you go for these (not sure if available):

www.hullprinting.co.uk
www.printinginhull.co.uk

You can think of more for the surrounding areas as well and then just re-direct these to your current domain. Won't make too much difference but better than your proposed plan.

 

[rhderby]

Brian has the right idea,

Build the 2nd site/domain up then your not losing any SEO value, whichever ends up best redirect all the worst performing site pages to the best one- give it plenty of time though.

 

[3 MORE YEARS]

It's common knowledge that keyword rich domain names are easier to rank. Moving a domain will effect SEO, by how much who knows, even the seo experts probably can't give you an accurate answer on this. I would not change domain names unless you have to, or it's a major factor in your branding and so on.

 

[Alex@Iansprint]

Possibly the OP means Print in hull, spelt printinhull!

 

[Curtis]

Possibly the OP means Print in hull, spelt printinhull!

Correct! I plan on moving to Birmingham in the next 18 months and my brother who helps with the business is moving to Leeds, but we'll both be back and forth to Hull. This gives us the oppurtunity to spread our wings a little and we have the domains printinbirmingham.co.uk and printinleeds.co.uk

So as Alex says, it is print in "a city".

Maybe I'm too concerned about having a brand in the 'print in..." when I could just keep printing hull as is and open print in leeds and print in birmingham seperately?

 

[I, Brian]

Maybe I'm too concerned about having a brand in the 'print in..." when I could just keep printing hull as is and open print in leeds and print in birmingham seperately?

Certainly would recommend that as a consideration - there's no stipulation that one company must only have one website.

 

[herodigital]

Hello there. I am looking to change our company name to something slightly different and need to therefore change the domain on our website. However, by replacing it with a new domain and making the current a sub-domain, will this affect SEO or rankings etc.

We currently rank 1 for 'printing hull' and first page for a few print related terms in the Hull area. We would certainly want to keep that as the domain is only going to be changing to www.printinhull.co.uk we're dropping the 'g'.

Any advice would be appreciated

i think this would be quite a bad decision. if you're ranking for "printing hull" this is a great position to be in, and i would not risk jeapordising it for the sake of some branding.

if you do decide to drop the 'g', at least keep the domain active (just have two domains pointing to the site).

people will be searching for a service, not a company, and your current address fullfils that criteria a LOT better.

 

[herodigital]

just read the full thread, perhaps "print in..." is not the wisest of company names due to its ambiguity

 

[sijugk]

Correct! I plan on moving to Birmingham in the next 18 months and my brother who helps with the business is moving to Leeds, but we'll both be back and forth to Hull. This gives us the oppurtunity to spread our wings a little and we have the domains printinbirmingham.co.uk and printinleeds.co.uk

So as Alex says, it is print in "a city".

Maybe I'm too concerned about having a brand in the 'print in..." when I could just keep printing hull as is and open print in leeds and print in birmingham seperately?

Then why don't keep two websites as Brian said. If I am in your situation, I will keep two websites. Any way proper 301 redirection is the only solution for your issue. Proper 301 redirection can bring back the previous rankings and PR for your new domain even within weeks.

 

[-Joe-]

There should be no problems if you simply 301 redirect the current site, and continue with your link-building/SEO strategy on the newer one.

 

[RhysLucas]

I don’t think so. The SEO is affected by keywords and backlinks.

 

[pathmakerserves]

Domain does affect SEO. A good domain reeps high PR.