How to
Change Internet Domain Names
Step-by-Step Guide to Change
Over to a New Internet Domain Name
Change Internet Domain
Name
If you've decided to change over to a
new Internet domain name, there are some precautions you
should take before doing so. You must determine whether it's
important enough that you change Internet domain names to
possibly lose some established customers and lose your
promotional efforts, or the traffic you are already
receiving to your current domain name.
If you have already built your current
website domain name to a substantial number of visitors,
then please think long and hard before getting a new
Internet domain name. Consider the risks. If you're still
sure this is the route you should take, then read the tips
below for a smooth Internet domain name
transition.
Things to Do Before
Considering a Domain Name
Host Change
Below is a quick checklist of things
to do before you change an Internet domain name. Do these
BEFORE you cancel your current
domain name. Otherwise, you could lose valuable information
or content on your website!
1. Create a complete backup copy of
your entire website - Then Change Internet Domain
Names
This includes autoresponders you may
have created in the email portion of your hosting control
panel. Don't make the same mistake I made when changing to a
new host. I forgot about the email section completely and
had to virtually start over from scratch.
There were several emails and two
autoresponders I used on a regular basis. These were, of
course, deleted when my website's hosting was shut down. I
had to try and remember all the emails I had created and
re-write my autoresponder messages! Imagine if I had 20 to
30 autoresponders or emails. What a nightmare that would
be!
Check with your ISP before changing
your url to see what is involved in backing up your site. If
you have special programming features stored for your site,
you'll need to back up these as well.
Tip!
There are tons of Internet hosting services to choose from.
One company I reccommend you check out is H-9. I think
you'll be pleased.
2. Re-design your website with the
new domain name change inserted in all your
links.
Before switching to a new Internet
domain name, be sure your site is designed with its links
all changed to the new domain name. When you upload the new
domain name to the Web, the website should be fully
functional under the new Internet domain name.
Redirect to Keep Your Rankings when
You Change Internet Domain Names
Understandably, a brand new Internet
domain name will be subject to the "aging delay" at Google
and other search engines. The aging delay for your new
domain will happen because search engines will not recognize
it as your "same old" website.
They will assume it's a brand new one
because of the new domain name.
To help things move along faster, keep
your old Internet domain name for a while until your new one
gets established. Only, do a "temporary redirect" on your
old domain name. You can create this through your domain
hosting control panel or by contacting your host if you're
not sure how. The search engines will recognize the website
as your old one much quicker.
Once your new domain name starts
getting indexed in the search engines, change the redirect
to a permanent one for a while. A "permanent redirect"
should be left at your old Internet domain name until your
new one has been established at the search engines and any
other sites or directories that were linking to your old
domain name.
Your goal is to hang on to the old
domain name while waiting on the new
Internet domain name to get
established. It's well worth the effort, even if it costs
you a little more each month for a while!
Tip!
Choose a domain name with these three characteristics: 1)
Easy to remember. 2) Short and to the point. 3) Related to
your products or company name.
Changing an Internet Domain Name
for Large Company Websites
If you own a large company or
corporation with many employees using your website, this
process can be even more complicated. Your employees' log-in
information must be updated on the new Internet domain name.
Check with your hosting company and in-house programmers to
find out what needs to be done.
Changing over to a new Internet domain
name is a pain, but sometimes needful. Decide if it's right
for you and use the tips above to simplify the process.
More Web Hosting and Domain Advice
Example
of a Domain Name
How
to Find and Use a Domain Name
List
SSL
Web Hosting
How
to do an ISP Speed Test
|
