I've just built a new site for a client www.weddingcakesashford.co.uk The client has arranged that their old domain name http://www.cakesgalore.co.uk/ be forwarded to the new site. However, after checking, I see that a frameset page has been used on the old site, incorporating the content from the new site. The question is, would this be seen as duplicate content by the search engines and effect the SEO of the new site??? Your advice please. Many thanks.
Why would content be seen on the old domain if it is being forwarded to the new domain? That defeats the purpose of forwarding traffic if you just have two domains. Just 301 redirect users from the old domain to the new domain instead of incorporating the same content on both sites. Having duplicate content hurts your ratings.
QuackWare is right. If you are 301ing the old domain to the new, it won't matter because everyone will be....well, forwarded.
Thanks for your replies. Apologies if I was not clear - the client believes that the old domain is being forwarded to the new site as they can view the new site when they enter the old domain name in their browser, but the clue that something is not quite right is that the old domain does not change to the new one. Viewing the code reveals that a frameset page has been used on the old domain simply to grab the content from the new site. However, from what you have both said, I'm guessing my suspicions are true and that this is a bad idea. The old site & hosting is not under my control, but I shall recommend that they change this and simply implement a 301 redirect as I certainly don't want any duplicate content issues. Thanks again for your help.
Just need to confirm that the domain that is being forwarded will not be seen it's content. so, pls do not worry as this is the general rule and google allow this too. No problem
Confirm from the Client as what they want. You should give 301 redirect to the old domain if you forward the new site. Ask the client that they want 2 sites live or not. Then only take decision.
301 redirect is made specifically for this purpose. If you do this it will tell search engine that the site has moved and almost all benefits the old one had wshould be transfered to the new one. You definitely will not be penalized for the duplicate content as there will not be any content seen on the old one.