When you decide to change your domain name, a few simple steps can ensure that the move doesn’t mean a drop in traffic to your site or loss of any customers.

Life happens. A domain name you chose at one point may not be relevant anymore. Changing your domain name needs to happen, but you don’t want to create a lot of extra work for yourself, lose your existing customers, or cause your Google ranking to plummet. It has the potential to be a giant, stressful drama. Luckily, taking a few small steps will help to avoid disaster and you can change a domain name of a website without any problems.

Why might you change your domain name?

You need the .com extension

Usually when buying a domain name for the first time, the tendency is to look for a domain that fits your name, without worrying about the extension. But fact is that a .net or a .biz extension does not command authority, and your business may have changed. If you’re supplying internationally now or your .co.nz site isn’t cutting the mustard, you might need a .com upgrade.

Your business has adapted

With time, every business or initiative expands, opens out to newer avenues or refines their offering. This may not necessarily reflect in your domain name and this is something you need to rectify as soon as possible.

You’ve rebranded everything

Every website needs regular updating, whether in design or format. But if you’ve entirely re-branded or the old domain no longer suits your brand, then it’s time to migrate to a new site.

If you’ve decided a new domain needs to happen and you’re ready to make the change, here are five important things to do before you make any changes. These simple steps will ensure that you don’t lose everything that you have worked towards with your current domain name.

Back up your existing site

You are dealing with technology and the internet and there is every chance that something could go horribly wrong. It is important to back up your site, especially if you have recently made some changes to the design, format or content. It’s a five minute process and it could save you a lot of time and money.

This is an important step to change a domain name, on Wordpress you simply need to install a plugin that helps you do this, and most plug-ins allow you to schedule automated backups to avoid all future catastrophe.

Once you have made the backup be sure to test it to see that it is in working condition. 

Look for a clean domain name

Like buying a used car, a domain name may have been gently used in the past. Depending on the previous owner of the domain, there could be some unsavoury elements. Look at the backlinks to the site- if they are low ranking or spam links, this could cause problems for your Google rankings.

Check this and make sure to completely disassociate with these links before migrating your site to it. The simplest way to do this is to use Google's Webmaster Tools. Through tabs related to traffic searches you will be able to find the offending links. A simple removal request will get the job done.

Get your content ready to go

It's important that you do all your work on your site before you want to migrate it to a new domain. This will migrate the site at one go and will reduce any negative impact on your SEO. A simple plug-in like All-in-One WP Migration is a good tool to work with. If you are doing a manual migration, then be sure to set aside time for it.

Get ready to redirect

Once you have migrated the site, the next step is to add URL redirects. The best one to use is a 301 redirect, which is permanent. This moves all the rankings from your existing site to your new site. A redirect plugin that will help you change a domain name on Wordpress is Simple 301.

Let Google know what you’ve done

Once you have all this done, then it’s time to inform Google that you have made a move. Submit this information via the dashboard of Google Webmaster Tools. You can also work on a new XML sitemap. Create one for your old domain as well and over time you will see the old domain being de-indexed and the new domain taking over.

Answers to frequently asked questions

What is an example of a domain name?

Domain names are what you type into the search bar, the address for a company website. An example is www.thisisadomainname.com or www.facebook.com

How do I get a domain name?

Here are a few simple steps to buying a domain name:

•            Research and find yourself a reliable domain registrar

•            Look for a domain name of choice with the availability checker tool

•            Choose the best name available.

•            Go through the processes to finalise your domain registration.

•            Cross check your ownership of the new domain

How much is a domain name?

On an average, expect to pay anything from around $10 to $15 a year to register and maintain a domain name. This price can increase astronomically depending on the value of the domain.

How do you get a domain name for free?

Look for free domain names with any registrar that offers a free domain as part of their web hosting plans. Some may offer free or highly discounted plans.