How To Change A Domain Name: A Step-by-Step Guide

Your registered domain name is one of the most important parts of your website’s identity. It’s the address that people type into their browsers to find your site and usually the first impression visitors have of your business. However, there may be a time when you need to change a domain name. In this step-by-step guide, we’ll walk you through the process of how to change a domain name, from registering a new domain to redirecting traffic, we’ll cover everything you need to make a smooth transition.

We’ll also go through why you may need to make the change and how to migrate to your new domain name. All while minimizing the impact on your web traffic and search engine ranking.

Reasons for Changing Domain Names

Several scenarios may prompt you to consider changing and registering a new domain name. Keep in mind that regardless of the reason, changing a domain name should be well-planned and done with care.

Rebranding

When your business undergoes a significant change, such as a new name or overhauling your brand identity, updating your domain name to reflect it may often be necessary. A rebranding effort aims to establish a fresh, cohesive image, and your domain name should be a part of it.

Relocation

If your business relocates to a different country or region, you may want to consider changing a domain name to better represent your new geographic location. A localized domain name can help improve your online visibility and appeal to your target audience in the new area.

Growth and Evolution

As your business grows and evolves, you may find that your initial domain name no longer accurately represents the scope of your offerings or the direction your company has taken. In such cases, adopting a broader, more inclusive domain name can better encompass your expanded products, services, or areas of expertise.

Following that, as your business grows and gains more recognition, you may have the opportunity to acquire a premium domain name that better aligns with your brand. Premium domain names are often shorter, more memorable, and can greatly improve your website and business’s credibility.

Optimization

Sometimes, businesses realize that their current domain name may lack the memorability, or relevance it needs. It may be too long, difficult to spell, or simply fail to convey the purpose of the website effectively.

If you find that that is happening with yours, changing it can help. You can optimize it to be shorter, easy to type, and more relevant. This can increase your visibility and make it easier for potential customers to find and return to your website.

During the transition period, it may be worthwhile to consider keeping your primary domain and have it point to the new domain name, as it will assist in re-educating suppliers and customers to the new branding and domain.

Benefits of Changing Domain Names

By changing domain names, you can have an opportunity to enhance your website’s presence, improve traffic, and grow your business. Here are several potential benefits to changing a domain name:

• Better Recall: A shorter, catchier domain name can make it easier for visitors to remember and return to your website. This is because simple, easy-to-type domains are more likely to stick in user’s minds, which can be a huge help in boosting your brand recognition and driving repeat traffic.
• More Marketability: A well-chosen domain name can be a powerful marketing asset. A domain that accurately represents your content, products, or services is easier to promote across channels like social media and digital marketing campaigns. Not only that, but it can also help reinforce your messaging and make it easier for potential new customers to find your site.
• Brand Alignment: As businesses evolve, their domain names may no longer accurately reflect their new direction. Changing a domain name allows you to ensure that it aligns with your revamped look, messaging, and audience. Keeping your web address consistent can help strengthen credibility and keep your overall online presence cohesive.
• Improved Search Engine Optimization (SEO): While the domain name itself is not a major ranking factor for search engines, the right domain name can contribute to better SEO. A domain that includes relevant keywords or phrases related to your business can help reinforce your site’s relevance and potentially improve click-through rates and organic from search results.
• Domain Authority: Depending on your industry and target audience, a premium or more authoritative domain name can enhance the perceived value and credibility of your site. For example, a domain with a highly desirable name and extension can position you as an authority in your space and establish further trust with visitors.

Choosing A New Domain Name

Your new domain name is the first step in reshaping your site and brand identity. Here are a few essentials to keep in mind when choosing your one:

Start by coming up with potential domains that align with your new direction, products, or services. When choosing the perfect name, try to make it memorable, easy to spell, and reflect the content of your website. You can also look at incorporating relevant keywords and industry terms that will appeal to your audience.

In addition to the domain name itself, you’ll need to choose an appropriate Top-Level Domain (TLD), or domain extension to go with it. Common extensions include:

• .com (commercial)
• .org (organizations)
• .net (networks)
• .co (companies)
• .io (often used by tech sites)
• Country code TLDs (ccTLDs) like .us, .uk, or .ca

While .com may be among the best choices for a TLD due it its popularity and credibility, other extensions can be good options depending on your brand, industry, and target audience.

Before You Start

Before starting a domain name change, it is always a good idea to get a few things prepared in advance. These will help ensure a smooth transition and minimize potential disruptions and errors.

Perform a Backup

Any time you make a major website change, having a complete backup of your site’s files, databases, and any other critical information is essential. Backing up your site gives you a safety net in case you run into problems with the change. It allows you to revert to your previous setup if needed and protects your data and content during the migration process.

SEO Impact

Changing a domain name can potentially impact your search engine rankings. While search engines generally handle domain changes well when done correctly, it’s important to understand the potential SEO implications and take proactive measures to mitigate any negative effects.

This may include properly redirecting your old domain, updating internal links, and submitting your new domain to search engines.

Check With Your Hosting Provider

Most hosting providers have procedures for changing domain names associated with a hosting account. Before proceeding, review your hosting provider’s policies and requirements to ensure a smooth transition. This may involve updating your account information, Domain Name System (DNS) settings, or any other changes specific to your hosting account.

Inform Stakeholders

If your website is affiliated with any stakeholders like business partners or suppliers, you’ll need to notify them of the upcoming domain change. This will allow them to update any relevant links, references, or integrations associated with your website, reducing the chance of potential service disruptions or broken links from their sites to yours.

Check External Links and Mentions

Check and list any external links and mentions from other websites that direct to your current domain. This will help you identify and plan for updating them to point to your new domain. This will ensure your domain authority and credibility are transferred along with the new URL.

Content Updates

Changing a domain name will also mean that you will need to update the content displayed on your website to reflect the new name, such as page links, and email addresses on your contact page. You’ll also have to change any other content with the old name, like images, headers and footers, etc. along with your social media profiles.

How to Change A Domain Name: Steps

Step 1: Register the New Domain

Check the availability of your domain and begin the registration process. Don’t forget to contact your domain and hosting provider and let them know you will be changing it. After you’ve completed the purchase, you will become the registered owner.

Step 2: Migrate Your Website

Transfer all your website files, databases, and content from the old domain to the new one. You can use tools like a File Transfer Protocol client like CuteFTP or the file manager in your Hosted.com Client Portal. Test the migrated website thoroughly on the new domain.

Step 3: Configure Hosting for the New Domain

Update your hosting account to point the new domain’s Domain Name System (DNS) settings to your web server. This means that you will be pointing the new domain to your website’s hosting server. This will ensure visitors reach your website when using the new URL.

Step 4: 301 Redirects

A 301 redirect tells search engines that the page has permanently moved to a new location.

In the context of changing domains, it is used to permanently redirect traffic from your old domain’s pages to the corresponding pages for your new domain. This allows search engines and browsers to update their links so that your rankings, links, and traffic are transferred over to the new domain without interruption.

Step 5: Update Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) Certificates

Ensure your SSL Certificates are updated for the new domain to maintain encrypted data transfers between your website and users. This is essential to keeping sensitive information secure and safe from being intercepted.

Step 6: Update Links

Replace all internal links on your website pointing to the old domain with the new one. When it comes to external links, reach out to the websites and directories that link to your old domain to update them on their side.

Step 7: Reconfigure Email Accounts

Update your email accounts that have your old domain (@olddomain.com) to the new one (@newdomain.com). Set up email forwarding and update your MX records to help keep communication uninterrupted until the change is complete.

Step 8: Test

Test the new domain thoroughly across different browsers and devices. Monitor website traffic, rankings, and search analytics for any drops that need addressing.

Be prepared to troubleshoot and fix any issues during the transition, such as broken links, missing redirects, or search engine de-indexing.

Step 9: Communicate the Change

Inform customers, subscribers, and partners about the new domain through email, or social media updates. Make sure to also update any business listings, and social profiles with the new URL.

Step 10: Update Google Tools

Change your website property in Google Search Console and Google Analytics to the new domain. Submit sitemaps to help search engine crawlers index the updated site structure.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

1. The reasons for changing domain names include rebranding, relocation, business growth and evolution, and optimizing it.
2. The benefits of domain name change are better recall, brand alignment, SEO, and domain authority.
3. Choosing a new domain should reflect your new direction, and content and have the appropriate TLD.
4. Before changing domains, back up your site, consider SEO impact, inform stakeholders, and update your content and links.
5. How to change your domain name: register the new domain, migrate the site, configure your hosting and email accounts, and update Google search tools.

FAQs

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