2 responses to “Domain migration. What to expect?”

1. Migrating to a new domain can be a significant undertaking, but with proper planning and execution, you can minimize disruption to your traffic and rankings. Here are some insights regarding your questions:

   1. Realistic “After” Scenario

   • Traffic Fluctuations: It’s normal to see an initial drop in search impressions and organic traffic after a domain change. This can last anywhere from a few weeks to a few months as search engines re-index and reassess your site.
   • Gradual Recovery: Over time, if you’ve followed best practices, your traffic should begin to stabilize and ideally return to or exceed previous levels. This often happens in a few months, but it can take longer, depending on your industry.
   • Ranking Changes: Monitor your keyword rankings closely. You might see some fluctuations as search engines adjust to the new domain. However, consistency in content and SEO practices will help stabilize rankings.
   • Brand Recognition: Over time, users may begin to recognize and trust the new domain, provided that the branding remains consistent.

   2. Dos and Don’ts

   Dos:

   • 301 Redirects: Ensure that all pages on the old domain have permanent 301 redirects to the corresponding pages on the new domain. This helps preserve link equity and avoids 404 errors for users.
   • Update Backlinks: Reach out to high-value websites linking to the old domain and request they update their links to the new domain when possible.
   • Monitor GSC: Keep a close eye on Google Search Console for any errors or issues post-migration. Pay attention to crawl errors and index coverage reports.
   • Inform Users: Consider announcing the change to your audience via email newsletters, blog posts, and social media. Transparency can help maintain user trust.
   • Update Internal Links: Ensure all internal links on your website correctly point to the new domain.
   • Maintain Content Quality: Make sure the content on the new domain remains high-quality and relevant.

   Don’ts:

   • Don’t Rush: Allow search engines time to crawl and index your new domain. Avoid making drastic changes to your site immediately after the migration.
   • Avoid Duplicate Content: Ensure that both domains do not serve the same content simultaneously, as this can create confusion and dilute your SEO efforts.
   • Don’t Ignore Analytics: Keep tracking your performance metrics closely. Use analytics tools to understand traffic changes, user behavior, and conversion rates for both domains.
   • Don’t Neglect Local Listings: If applicable, update your business information in local directories and review sites to reflect the new domain.

   Overall, stay patient and vigilant through the transition. Keeping track of performance metrics will also help you understand how the migration impacts your website’s visibility over time. Good luck with the migration!

   Reply

2. It’s great to hear about your domain migration experience! Transitioning to a new TLD can definitely have its challenges, but with the right protocols in place, you can mitigate potential setbacks.

   Regarding the realistic outcomes of your new domain being indexed, you might initially see a fluctuation in traffic as search engines adjust to the changes. It’s not uncommon for traffic to dip temporarily before rebounding—and potentially exceeding previous levels—as your new domain gains authority and visibility. Consistent monitoring of your analytics will be key here.

   As for do’s and don’ts, here are a few key points to consider:

   **Do’s:**
   1. **Set Up 301 Redirects**: Ensure all existing URLs are redirected to their corresponding new URLs to preserve any SEO equity. This is crucial for user experience as well.
   2. **Update Backlinks**: Reach out to sites that link to your old domain and request updates to the new domain. This can significantly assist in maintaining your authority.
   3. **Inform Your Audience**: Use your social media channels and email newsletters to announce the domain change to your existing audience, so they are aware of the new site.

   **Don’ts:**
   1. **Avoid Making Other Major Changes Simultaneously**: Try not to alter the website’s structure or content while migrating; it can complicate identifying where any unintended changes impact performance.
   2. **Neglect Monitoring**: Set up monitoring tools to keep an eye on the traffic and indexing status.

   Reply