Redirecting Old Domain to New Domain

An organization can decide to change its domain name. However, when doing so, it's important to redirect the old domain to the new one because this guarantees that you won't lose any traffic and also ensures that your SEO efforts won't be wasted. 

This article will help organizations understand how this works by describing the process of redirecting an old domain to a new domain.

Best Practices for Redirecting an Old Domain to a New Domain

Properly planning and following best practices is critical when diverting an old domain to a new one. Here are some best practices to follow when you want to redirect a domain that exists to a new one:

Use 301 Redirects: Anytime you switch to a new domain, always use 301 redirects. A 301 redirect tells search engines that your content has permanently moved to a new location.

Maintain URL Structure: To reduce broken links, keep the URL structure of your previous domain similar to the new one.

Update Internal Links: When you migrate, update all of your website's internal links to avoid pointless redirecting and improve visitor experience.

Communicate with Users: Send emails or alerts informing your audience of the modification on your website, which will enhance the customer experience.

Monitor Traffic and SEO Performance: Use Google Analytics and Google Console to check your website's traffic and SEO rankings closely following the redirects.

Individual 301 URL Redirects: How They Work

Individual 301 redirects create a redirect for every current page on your former domain to the corresponding pages on the new website. This ensures that link juice travels from the old URL to the new one. 

To implement individual 301 redirects: 

●     Identify All URLs: List every URL found on your previous domain.

●     Map Old URLs to New URLs: Map old URLs to their related new URLs.

●     Set Up Redirects: Create 301 redirects for URLs with web hosting control panels or server setting tools.

Wildcard 301 Redirects for Efficient Domain Redirection

Wildcard 301 redirects might be useful when you want to send all traffic from one domain to another without specifying every specific URL. This method delivers all searches to one page, the homepage. Hence, even if it is fast, it should be utilized carefully.

Using Domain Registrar Redirection for Seamless Transfers 

Another way to seamlessly point an old domain to a new one is through domain registrar redirection. This approach creates redirects using settings given by your domain provider even though you don't have access to server configuration files. 

Although this approach is simple compared to server-level setups, it might not give as much control over certain URL mappings. Using 301 instead of 302 redirect is also advisable, as 302 is only temporary and will not save link juice.

Configuring Google Search Console for Domain Migration

Once your redirects are set up, you must notify Google of your domain change using Google Search Console, formerly Google Webmaster Tools.

Steps to Configure Google Search Console

1. Verify ownership of Both Domains: Verify the old and new domains using Google Search Console. 
2. Use the Change of Address Tool: Visit property settings for your old domain and choose the "Change of Address" tool. 
3. Follow Prompts: Indicate that you are transitioning from the old to the new domain. 
4. Submit Updated Sitemaps: Create and send updated sitemaps for both domains.

301 Redirect on a Linux Server: A Step-by-Step Guide

Setting up a 301 redirect on a Linux server will only work if the Apache Mod_rewrite module on your server is turned on. Before you advance, find out this from your server administrator.

Here’s how you can do it: 

1. Backup Your Current ‘.htaccess File’: Always backup your current ‘.htaccess’ file first.
2. Edit .htaccess File: Open or create a ‘.htaccess’ file in the root directory of your website with an FTP client or file manager. 
3. Add Redirect Code:

  Options +FollowSymLinks

  RewriteEngine On

  RewriteRule (.*) http://www.newdomain.com/$1 [R=301,L]:2.

4. Save Changes: Save the file.

301 Redirect on a Windows Server: Complete Instructions

Configuring a 301 redirect for Windows servers usually requires access to the server's administration interface via IIS (Internet Information Services). 

If you are not the server owner, you won't have access and will have to request it from your web host provider’s customer support. 

Here's how to redirect on Windows server: 

1. Open IIS Manager: Access IIS Manager from your server dashboard.
2. Select Your Site: In the left panel, select the location to configure.
3. Select Properties > Home Directory.
4. Under Default Web Site Properties, select “A redirection to a UL”,
5. Go to “Redirect to" and fill in the new domain location.
6. Select “A permanent redirection for this source.”
7. Press OK.

Domain Redirection after Cloning and Migrating a Website

When migrating or cloning websites, especially WordPress, you must make sure proper redirection to maintain visitors and SEO rankings.

Common Issues During Migration

After migrating WordPress sites, users may encounter issues where visitors are still directed back to the old domain instead of the new one for several reasons: 

1. Improper Configuration of Redirects: Failing to set up redirects correctly can lead users back to outdated pages. 
2. Failure to Update Internal Links: Ignoring internal links and references could cause broken links pointing back to the old site instead of the new. 
3. Problems with Sitemap Submission and Reindexing: Users can still be sent to the old website if the search engine rankings do not index the new domain.
4. Incomplete Migration and Cloning Process: If you miss files or database entries during migration and cloning, they may still reference the old domain. 
5. Issues with Server Configuration: DNS issues and incorrect server settings are another reason for redirection.

Fixing WordPress Redirection Issues Post-Migration

Below are the options available to resolve redirection issues after migrating to a new domain.

Method 1: Update the Site Address in WordPress Settings

Changing the site address straight in the WordPress settings will help solve redirection problems the easiest way.

1. Go to Settings > General.
2. Record your new domain using the WordPress Address (URL).
3. Click Save Changes.

Method 2: Change the Site URL in the WordPress Database

Change the site URL in the database if you cannot access the WordPress dashboard.

1. Open PHPMyAdmin from your cPanel.
2. Choose the database of your site.
3. Find the wp_options table.
4. Change the site URL and home values in the Edit menu to reflect your new domain.
5. Save your changes.

Method 3: Redirect Your Old Site to Your New Site Using 301 Redirects

This approach protects SEO value throughothe ut migration. 

1. Go to your cPanel.
2. Select Redirects under the Domains section.
3. Choose Permanent (301) as the redirect type.
4. Enter your old domain in the right box and your new domain in the redirect box.
5. Click Add to save.

Method 4: Use a Dedicated Migration Plugin

WordPress plugins will help you handle redirection tasks: 

1. Install and turn on an SEO plugin like Rank Math SEO or All-in-One SEO.
2. Activate the Redirections module in the Plugin settings.
3. Go to Redirections and click on Add New.
4. Type in your source and destination URLs along with the redirection type (choose 301 for permanent redirect).
5. Click Add Redirection.

Method 5: Manually Set Up Redirects Using .htaccess File

If you're comfortable with codes, you can change the .htaccess: 

1. Access File Manager from your cPanel.
2. Search and edit the .htaccess: file.
3. In the editor, write code based on your redirection type and purpose.
4. Save changes.

Method 6: Flush DNS Cache on Your PC

Local DNS caching can occasionally cause problems during redirection. You can stop this by flushing your DNS cache: 

For Windows:

●     Open Command Prompt as an administrator.

●     Type ‘ipconfig /flushdns’ and press Enter.

For Mac:

●     Open Terminal.

●     Add the following lines: ‘sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder’ and press Enter (you may have to enter your password).

Understanding Website Migration and Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

Successful migration of your website benefits your search engine optimization strategies:

●     Successful migration preserves link equity, hence preserving search engine results.

●     A faulty redirection could cause visits to be lost since search engines might not be fast enough to identify site changes.

To avoid SEO risks during migration: 

●     Plan well by mapping out all existing URLs against their replacements.

●     Update sitemaps and efficiently communicate these updates using Google Search Console.

Avoiding Redirection Pitfalls During Website Migration

To avoid typical mistakes in redirection: 

●     Using technology like Screaming Frog or comparable SEO auditing to test all redirections before going live. 

●     Track statistics closely after migration. Look for low visitor or bounce rate spikes, suggesting that customers are experiencing difficulties or discover redirecting errors.

Finalizing Your Domain Redirection Strategy: Key Takeaways

You must follow the best standards to successfully redirect an old one to a new one. Here are some key takeaways from this tutorial:

● Always use 301 redirects for permanent changes.

●     Make sure you also redirect internal links.

●     Make good use of Google Search Console during migrations.