Change of URL Strategy 3

[cian]

Hi guys,

Just wanted to get your opinion.
I've decided to change the URL of my site (no need to ask why :-]) and want to work out the best way to do this to limit downtime but more importantly avoid losing visitors.

My host can change the URL in about 24hrs.
I guess I can forward the old to the new from my registrar.
I can resubmit to whatever search engines necessary, shouldn't be any issues there.
Email might be a problem for a while.
I'd have to modify forums, search engines, error scripts, and numerous other cgi tools which might take a couple of days online work.

Have you any advice? Anything I might have missed? nything I should watch out for?
Any/all help appreciated!!!
Cian

http://www.endamcg.com

http://www.endamcg.com/finland-gaa/

http://www.endamcg.com/macaonghusa/

 

[skiflyer]

Well, depending on how big a deal losing users and the pocket book is and all that, I wouldn't switch from one to the other. I'd put the site up and the new address, and maintain an absolutely minimal account for the old URL. At the old URL I would have a simple HTML file with a redirect page which loaded up for 5 seconds clearly stating the new URL, requesting users to update any links or bookmarks, then a good old fashioned link in case their browser doesn't forward them automatically.

And secondly, I'd set up a .forward file so that all my email went to the new address, especially if it's a customer based site, losing email is a huge problem.

-Rob

 

[4x4uk]

I agree with Rob. I have moved twice, the first time I did what you are proposing and it took between 3-6 months to get the full level of site traffic back. Learning by my mistakes, for the second switch I left a re-direct page on the old url for 6-8months and maintained the e-mail account for the same period it was almost a seamless transition.
Regards
Ian Infinity exists! - I just haven't worked out a way to get there yet.

http://www.ne4x4.org.uk/

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http://www.ne4x4.org.uk/Ian/

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http://www.ne4x4.fsnet.co.uk/beck/

 

[Wullie]

Hi mate,

If you choose to use a redirect, do not use a HTML page as this would only work for the root of the domain, a user visiting a bookmarked low level page would get a 404.

When you change to the new url, add the following into the old root as a htaccess.

Redirect /

http://www.new_domain.com/

This means that any request for your old domain shows an immediate server-side redirect to the new domain.

As for e-mail, the easiest way to do this is to add an alias for each account, this allows both domains e-mail to arrive in the correct mailbox.

Hope this helps Wullie

http://www.freshlookdesign.co.uk

http://www.freshlookdesign.com

http://www.necomputers.org.uk

http://www.whiland.co.uk

The pessimist complains about the wind. The optimist expects it to change.
The leader adjusts the sails. - John Maxwell

 

[cian]

Hi guys,

Thanks for the advice, much appreciated. Unfortunatly cost is a factor. If I could afford it I could easily enable it that both addresses to go to the same server but I can't

My plan is to switch URL on the server and have the old one redirect (at the registrars) to the new URL. Is this plan flawed?

http://www.endamcg.com

http://www.endamcg.com/finland-gaa/

http://www.endamcg.com/macaonghusa/