I need some advice. I have a client who changed their business name almost 3 years ago. They set up a new web site for their new company name on a new domain, with a new design and new content. They left their previous site running - but don't update it. As content was re-written, duplicate content shouldn't be an issue - a few whitepapers and articles may duplicate but mostly it was rewritten. On the old site there is a message on every page referring visitors to the new site. For SEO, would you recommend Redirect 301'ing the old site to the new site? The old site has more age (created June 2001 vs May 2005) and in some cases ranks better than the newer site. Sometimes in Google the new site doesn't even rank for some terms whereas the old site does (other engines do list both so it doesn't appear to be the pages?). Both have roughly the same number of backlinks (but obviously from different sites). Old site is a PR4, new site is a PR5. Is it better to appear several times for keywords, or is it better to have one stronger SERP? I'm leaning towards have one strong SERP (ie. it's better to be on page 1 than have two listings on page 5) but I'm worried about instances where the new site isn't ranking a term at all - I'd rather have the old site in there than not having anything at all. What would you do? And are you guessing or know from experience?
If you 301 he old site, their is a chance that what the old site was recognize for in serp may transfer to the new one. You are right, a page 1 listing vs 2 page 5 in serp is better. Also, if you merge both, new site will have more traffic, and in return will be more valuable.