If you’ve ever wondered, “Can I change my domain name?” We’re here to answer with a resounding “YES!”
You’ve come to the right spot.
In this article, we’ll discuss how to alter the domain name of a website. In addition. We’ll examine the reasons you should think about altering your domain’s address, ways to minimize any risk that changing your domain’s name may result in, and discuss how a domain name benefits your brand and business.
Change Your Domain Name
What’s the point of changing your domain’s name? If you don’t have a valid reason, you should keep it as is and not even consider why you’re here.
Before we discuss the steps to change your website’s domain name, it’s advisable to take a few minutes to consider your motives. You cannot make changes to your domain name at the spur of the moment.
Domain names are typically the first impression that people receive about your business and your website, so it’s crucial to consider them as serious.
Why would you choose an alternative domain name for your site? “I just don’t like it” isn’t convincing enough justification, but the reasons listed below are.
Reasons Why You Should Change Your Domain Name
Your domain name does not represent your brand and company.
- Industries shift. Your domain name may no longer be relevant or useful in distinguishing your products and company in the market.
Your domain name isn’t setting the appropriate tone for your site.
- Perhaps your domain name is a little too imaginative, and the effort at humour isn’t what you’re hoping for your site to have.
Your domain name isn’t getting traction.
- Too many numbers and hyphens on your website’s domain names? Are you using a long domain name? All of these factors reduce the recall of your domain name and if users aren’t able to recall your domain’s name, they’ll never access your website.
- Pro tip: Ensure that any domain you choose to use meets an examination called the “Radio Test.” If someone heard the domain name being spoken on the radio but never had it printed, would they be assumed to be able to recognize the spelling and connect an appearance on your site?
The name of your business has changed.
- In the interest of consistency and brand recognition, it is suggested to change your domain’s name to match the business name.
You’d like to alter the extension of your domain.
- Perhaps you’ve realized that the .com domain name that you originally wanted wasn’t within your budget so you opted for an alternative TLD. However, now you’ve saved money and can now purchase the domain name that you always desired. Or, maybe you purchased the domain name .com or .org however, you’ve recently discovered a TLD specific to your field you’d like to utilize for example .tech as well as .club.
Risks of Changing Your Domain Name
Risk is a part of the business world. There’s no reason to subject your business to greater risk than is needed.
Changes to your domain name can be an excellent benefit for your company. However, they are not without some risks. Let’s look at the risks and then consider how you could modify your domain name to as low a risk as possible.
- It’s a waste of time and money.
- The loss of traffic or rankings that were previously accumulated.
- The loss of brand recognition.
- The loss of backlinks and ranking.
Loss of Money and Time
Are you looking for an effective method to spend your time and money? Try changing your domain’s name because you “don’t like it” or “feel a need for a change.”
While domain name registrations in the primary category aren’t costly, certain high-end domain names are more expensive to purchase in any case.
If you’re transferring your domain name to make a change this is money that doesn’t have to be spent and can instead be put into your business in different ways.
Loss of Search Traffic and Rankings
The loss of traffic or search rankings is the most significant risk that you’ll be facing when you switch the domain you use. There’s no way to guarantee that this will occur, but you can take steps to minimize the risks we’re going to explain to you.
When you upgrade your domain name to match your site search engines are required to scan your website again to find out about the change and then re-index it.
There’s no timeframe for how long it will take, which means your website’s search engine traffic could be slow for a time. One thing that could help in this situation is keeping your domain time-bound.
Domain age is a ranking factor, and older domain names are likely to be regarded as more trustworthy by search engines like Google. You might consider buying your desired domain and holding it for a time before registering it. While this isn’t a guarantee, there won’t be any decline in search traffic. However, it can help reduce the chance of that happening.
A different option would be to buy an additional domain name instead of changing your domain name. Premium domains are less long and more memorable. They are also search engine optimized. In addition, because they’ve previously registered, they usually have a long history of search and web traffic, so they’re well-known for search engines.
If you choose to go this route, you should look at the background of the name you want to use. There are tools for domain history that you can locate with just a few clicks, and they’ll allow you to determine whether the domain you’re looking for has had problems with spammy website traffic or black-hat SEO methods, neither of which could help SEO.
Loss of Brand Awareness
Brand recognition is something you are in control of when it comes to changing your domain’s name. If you regularly receive web visitors that are direct traffic.
It is possible to lose them when you switch the domain you use. They might enter your old domain, and when your site does not load, they imagine that you’ve gone off the grid forever.
You can reduce the risk using redirects and messaging. Set up a 301 redirect on the old site to the new one for at minimum of 120 days. (It will not hurt you to keep the redirect in place for a longer period for a longer period.)
A lot of site visitors will notice the new domain’s name, however, you cannot count on all of them being aware. Instead, consider putting an announcement or pop-up on your site that announces the new domain name, or rebranding it to ensure people are aware and can utilize it as their domain going forward.
Loss of Backlinks and Traffic
Backlinks are third-party websites that redirect users to your website, and they’re an integral part of any SEO strategy. If you’ve spent many hours creating your backlinks, changing your site’s domain name will impact them.
Maintaining your redirects will reduce the danger; however, redirects from backlinks don’t have the same importance in the SEO algorithms, which means you’re likely to experience a loss of traffic.
You can contact these third websites by letting them know of the new domain and providing new links to use or developing your backlink strategy using your new domain name.
Planning Your Domain Name Change
As we’ve talked about the possibility of changing your domain’s name, it shouldn’t be viewed as a lightly-made decision. It’s an enterprise decision, and, as such, it may be a good idea to plan it.
Let’s consider the steps to take to make a domain name change Then, we’ll go over the specific steps to follow for the transition.
A Pre-Change Checklist
There are only two options for changing your domain name. You can either change your domain name and all of the links associated with it in one go or make the changes to a specific section of your website at the same time.
Both of these options could impact the SEO of your site, so you should choose the option that is best for your needs.
Here’s a checklist to aid you in planning the name change for your domain.
- Create redirects and then keep them in the same place for at least 120 days.
- Updating Google Search Console with your new domain name.
- Upgrade Google Analytics with your new domain name.
- Review all internal links that require updating to reflect your new domain.
- Review the backlinks and third parties you’ll need to notify of the domain you’ve purchased.
- Make sure you update your professional email address to match your domain name. (Don’t forget to sign your signature on your email!)
- Create a list of all corporate materials and documents where you’ll need to change your domain name and links.
- What will you do to notify your customers? Make plans for email communications or on-site messages.
- Create a custom 404 page with your domain’s previous name so that those who access it will be informed of your new domain.
The Steps to Change Your Website Domain Name
The steps for changing the domain name of your site will differ depending on the place you construct and host your website. These steps apply to Domain.com customers.
Change Your Domain Name on WebsiteBuilder
- Log into the domain.com account you have created. Domain.com account.
- Go to “Domains” at the top of the page.
- If you’ve not yet bought the domain name you’re planning to use, you can do it immediately by hitting the “blue “Purchase Domain” button at the top right of your profile. If you’ve already bought your domain name, then skip step 4.
- Select “Manage” under the domain name you are currently using for your website.
- Go to “WebsiteBuilder” in the left-hand menu.
- To change your domain name, click on the three dots located just to the left of “Settings” and click “Change Domain Name.”
- Choose the desired domain name in the dropdown menu.
- Click “Change.”
Creating a 301 Redirect
The creation of a 301 redirection from your domain name to the new domain name is vital. Making this move assists search engines and users in accessing your website using that new domain so that you don’t lose visitors or traffic.
If you’ve not created the 301 redirects previously, you should consult an expert. This process is often technical; therefore, if you need assistance, we’ve got you covered. If you decide to go by yourself, follow the instructions below.
Domain users who use web hosting can follow the directions and tutorial in the KnowledgeBase article to redirect to 301.
If you’re using Domain.com’s WebsiteBuilder for easy site creation and design, it is recommended that you speak with our professional service team for help. We’ll discuss how to create the 301 redirects below, but the procedure is technical.
To complete this procedure, you need to use three third-party tools, such as FileZilla or any of the 301 code generator tools.
Go to FileZilla Connect to ftp.domain.com. Each Domain.com WebsiteBuilder account receives a root FTP user, and you’ll have to input the information (your username as well as password) to connect. After this, you’ll be able to access .htacess to edit using any 301-code generator tool, such as this one, to make your own 301 redirect(s).
Note: Use the name checker tool to see if your desired name is available for social accounts and websites.
Change Your Domain Name to Suit Business Needs
A domain name is essential if you wish to build trust with your customers in the world of online. It’s a great method to let shoppers know the products you’re offering and establish yourself in your marketplace. The advantage you get from getting that perfect domain is worth the effort and investment in money.
Some people end up with a domain that does not accomplish any of these things. In the end, they have to alter the name. Luckily, the process is straightforward Follow the steps above to find the ideal domain name.