Changing Domain Names

August 29, 2011

Considering changing your domain name? Think carefully before making a decision because it will impact your search engine ranking!

Your domain name plays an important role in how your website ranks on searches. For instance, domain names that have been around for a long time and have consistently produced high quality content are given a significant boost in the rankings. Domain names that include important keywords will also be given some priority, which is why the best domain names include descriptive keywords. In other words, if you were a chiropractor in Denver, the ideal domain name would be "DenverChiropractor.com". Including a keyword in the domain name is less important than it used to be, thanks to recent algorithm updates, but it still gives you an edge over the competition.

When you change your domain name, you end up starting over from scratch. You'll generally see a big dip in your rankings while your website is being re-indexed by search bots and then you'll have to work extra hard to compensate for the loss in domain age, one of the more important aspects of search rankings. This is especially true for websites that have been around for over two years.

My recommendation is to avoid changing your domain name unless it's absolutely necessary. If you just want a nicer sounding domain, it's easy enough to simply forward that domain to your existing website. Then if someone types in "DoctorJoe.com" they'll be automatically redirected to "DenverChiropractor.com". This technique allows you to use short, elegant, friendly domain names for your print materials without having to eliminate all the hard work and dedication you've put into your older domain name.

Still convinced you need to change your domain name? Okay. Just remember that there's going to be a big drop in your search rankings and that you're going to have to compensate for the loss while your rank fluctuates. If you're a ChiroHosting customer, the easiest way to change your domain name is to purchase the domain through a website like Domain.com and then contact one of our customer support specialists. They'll be more than happy to walk you through the process.

You can also ask me questions on our Twitter Page, the Chiropractic Community, or Facebook.