anoher newbie question about url redirection

Discussion in 'Search Engine Optimization' started by luna_david, Oct 15, 2007.

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  1. #1
    hi guys, im wondering...

    what kind of affect will i have on my site by moving it to a new URL?
    Is there a very likely chance that i will lose my ranking?
    What about all the backlinks from my previous site, do they need to change or does permanent redirect suffice in counting backlinks for new URL?

    your help is very much appreciated.
    Thank you very much in advance. :)
     
    luna_david, Oct 15, 2007 IP
  2. tonybogs

    tonybogs Peon

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    #2
    Moving a domain probably isnt a good idea if you can avoid it.

    You have the potential here to lose lots of your indexed pages if you are just redirecting everything to your new homepage.

    My advice would be this...
    1) move all of your files to your new domain
    2) clear all the files from your old domain
    3) make sure you hold onto the old domain until all the urls are transferred over
    4) create a custom 404 handler that will redirect any request to your old domain to your new domain, something like this (assuming you are using php)

    <?php

    header("HTTP/1.1 301 Moved Permanently");
    header("Location: http://www.newdomain.com".$_SERVER['REQUEST_URI']);

    ?>

    No files will exist so everything will run through the 404 handler and be 301'ed to your new site.

    Hope this helps :)
     
    tonybogs, Oct 16, 2007 IP
  3. tdd1984

    tdd1984 Well-Known Member

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    #3
    Yes you will loose your rankings, but things will level out as time comes back if you need information on a 301 redirect just tell me.
     
    tdd1984, Oct 16, 2007 IP
  4. luna_david

    luna_david Peon

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    #4
    thanks for the responses. and for answering my PM.

    :)
     
    luna_david, Oct 17, 2007 IP
  5. SunDevil

    SunDevil Peon

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    #5
    I agree.

    Domain history pulls a lot of weight in the rankings game. Starting over with a new domain would be like moving your brick and morter to a different state and expecting your repete costumers to walk through the door. the 301 redirects would be act as teleporters (I came up with that one on my own :) bringing your old customers to the new site.

    Your rankings will flux, but you will be good in the long run!

    G
     
    SunDevil, Oct 17, 2007 IP
  6. ajaychadha

    ajaychadha Banned

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    #6
    Hello,

    I won't suggest creating a 404 handler. You will ask why so here is a case sceneario.

    Most of the machines today are affected with spywares and adwares which redirect the HTTP 404 error pages to their choice of URLs. Now when people with such softwares installed on their machine will visit the old pages, they will get the 404 error and will be redirected to other websites by thos spyware/adware programs.

    Secondly, back-links to previous URL pages are not counted towards the backlinks for new URL.

    Regards,

    Ajay Chadha
     
    ajaychadha, Oct 18, 2007 IP