Domain names are an essential part of any website. They help customers remember your website, and they can also help with SEO. A recent study found that the number of domains linking to a page was the driving factor that had the best correlation to rankings on Google.
Read more: Does changing domain name affect SEO?
If you’re unhappy with the current domain name or want to change it for SEO purposes, this guide is for you.
1. Choose a New Domain Name and Register It
The right domain name should be:
- Short (no more than 15 characters);
- Memorable;
- Descriptive;
- Easy to spell and pronounce;
- Relevant to your business.
To register a new domain name, you can use any domain registrar like Namecheap, GoDaddy, etc. Enter the desired domain name in the search bar and follow the instructions.
2. Redirect Your Old Domain To The New One
If you want to keep the old domain name and redirect it to your new domain name, you can point the DNS record for your old domain name to your new domain name. Users who visit your old domain name will be automatically redirected to your new domain name. You may need to change your old domain name’s A and CNAME records. These are usually found in the DNS settings for your domain name.
After updating the DNS records can take up to 72 hours for the changes to propagate.
3. Backup Your Website Files
Back up your website files before making any changes. This way, if something goes wrong, you can always revert back to the original version.
You can choose a file transfer protocol (FTP) client or your web hosting control panel to backup your files. If you use an FTP client, you’ll need to download your website files to your computer. Once you have a copy of all your files, you can proceed with changing your domain name.
4. Update Any References in Your Content and Marketing Materials
You’ll need to update those references if you’ve used your current domain name in your marketing materials or on your website. It includes places like:
- Your website’s header and footer
- Social media profiles and cover photos
- Blog posts and articles
- Email signature
5. Notify Your Customers and Partners of the Change
Be sure to notify your customers and partners of the change. You can do this through an announcement on your website, social media, or email.
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