Conquering Domain Migration and Ruling Search Engines
Domain migration can be a tricky business for SEO, but with careful planning and execution, you can minimize the impact and maintain your rankings. We recently migrated a domain from applestudio.com.tw to applestudio.com and here is what the successful domain migration looks like in the Search console.
Domain Migration
Page Indexing
The old domain was expired so we requested the client to renew it so we could set up redirects and initiate the domain migration tool in the search console. The URLs are the same and everything is the same as the old website. So we are hopeful to get everything indexed and stable traffic.
Here are some best practices to keep your SEO on track after migrating your website:
Before the Migration
Planning is Key:
- Define Your Goals: What do you want to achieve with the migration? Are you changing brands, and platforms, or just consolidating domains? Understanding your goals will help you make informed decisions throughout the process.
- Choose the Right New Domain: Aim for a relevant, brand-aligned domain that is easy to remember and spell.
- Audit Your Existing Site: Make a comprehensive list of all your URLs, backlinks, and internal linking structures. This will be crucial for setting up redirects and ensuring all your content is accounted for.
Backlink Preservation:
- Identify Your Most Valuable Backlinks: Analyze your backlink profile and identify the high-authority sites linking to your current pages. You can use tools like Semrush or Ahrefs to do this.
- Contact Website Owners: Reach out to the owners of high-value backlinks and inform them about the migration. Request that they update their links to point to the corresponding pages on your new domain.
Technical Preparation:
- Set up 301 Redirects: This is the single most important step for preserving SEO. 301 redirects permanently inform search engines that your old pages have moved to new locations on your new domain. Map out how each old URL will redirect to the most relevant new URL.
Upgrade Your Sitemap: Submit a new sitemap to Google Search Console that reflects the updated URLs and structure of your new site.
- Test Thoroughly: Before launching your new site, test everything rigorously to ensure proper functionality and avoid broken links or errors.
During the Migration:
- Migrate Content Carefully: Make sure all your content, including images, videos, and other assets, is transferred accurately to the new site. Maintain consistent formatting and structure to avoid confusing search engines.
After the Migration:
- Monitor and Analyze: Use Google Search Console and other SEO tools to track your traffic, rankings, and backlinks. Identify any issues and take corrective action if needed.
- Build New Backlinks: Continue building backlinks to your new domain to strengthen your website’s authority and ranking potential.
- Promote Your New Domain: Spread the word about your new domain through social media, email marketing, and other channels. This will help search engines understand that your site is still relevant and active.
Additional tips
- Consider a Gradual Migration: If you have a large website, consider migrating it in phases to minimize disruption and allow search engines to adjust gradually.
- Keep Your Old Domain Active for a While: This will give search engines time to crawl and index your new site before completely shutting down the old one.
- Be Patient: Recovering from a domain migration can take time. Don’t expect to see your rankings bounce back overnight. Be patient and consistent with your SEO efforts.
Conclusion
By following these best practices, you can minimize the impact of a domain migration on your SEO and maintain your website’s visibility and ranking potential. Remember, thorough planning, meticulous execution, and ongoing monitoring are key to a successful migration.
I hope this helps! Feel free to ask if you have any further questions or need clarification on any specific points.
