301 an Established Site to a New Domain?

[Mr. Blackhat]

Last year I bought a website that at the time looked very promising. It was a starter site with 1500 visits and about $20/month. The problem that I didn't realize at first is that the domain name is too narrow, almost the entire niche is covered and I can't branch out.

The past few months the site has grown a bit, now sitting at just over 2000 visits per month. I just launched a new site in the same niche but much broader (think brandable domain name instead of partial match domain), and I'm wondering if it's a good idea to just redirect the old site to this new domain?

The first website has been around for just over 2 years and has about 200 backlinks. No amazing backlinks but still, 100% organic and mostly very niche specific (som main competitors even). If I do upload all the old articles to the new one and 301 them independently, what do you recon will happen? I'm ok with having to wait the "sandbox" period, but will my rankings transfer to the new domain eventually?

What would you do in this situation? The old domain has no future and I'm just waiting for it to drop in rankings because of inactivity (can't find any new keywords to target, hence no articles have been posted for 6-7 months now). Should I wait until the new site is a bit more aged perhaps?

 

[praetserge]

Just do 301 wild redirect and the new domain should be ranking within 1 month.
Done it, seen it. It's called "rebranding" if you want.

PS: make sure you do 301-redirects correctly.

 

[Mr. Blackhat]

Just do 301 wild redirect and the new domain should be ranking within 1 month.
Done it, seen it. It's called "rebranding" if you want.

PS: make sure you do 301-redirects correctly.

What is the correct way to 301 then? I thought it's best to use a plugin and redirect each post/page to an exact copy on the new domain?

Will I not have a slow period for the first 4-6 months as the domain is new? I set the new site up just 2 weeks ago.

 

[praetserge]

What is the correct way to 301 then? I thought it's best to use a plugin and redirect each post/page to an exact copy on the new domain?

Will I not have a slow period for the first 4-6 months as the domain is new? I set the new site up just 2 weeks ago.

Yes... each post to exact copy... you can use a plugin, I used .htaccess file as it's easier.

I don't think new domain's age has anything to do with it as it's a normal practice when "rebranding".
People used to and some still do it when their old domains get penalised and no problem.

 

[Rank Rocket]

I am facing the same problem.

 

[Mr. Blackhat]

Yes... each post to exact copy... you can use a plugin, I used .htaccess file as it's easier.

I don't think new domain's age has anything to do with it as it's a normal practice when "rebranding".
People used to and some still do it when their old domains get penalised and no problem.

Ok but do you see the same rankings as before? Or does the domain change have some negative impact? I've never done anything like it before but with all the latest Google updates you never know what will make a site crash and burn.

 

[DigitalSir]

Yes, you can do 301 redirects but in a proper way as rebranding so it will help you. The best example of this thing is tooltester.com and how they rebranded and started tool tester you can read a detailed article on detailed.com here is the link https://detailed.com/review-site-interview/.

 

[Itzemmarex]

Last year I bought a website that at the time looked very promising. It was a starter site with 1500 visits and about $20/month. The problem that I didn't realize at first is that the domain name is too narrow, almost the entire niche is covered and I can't branch out.

The past few months the site has grown a bit, now sitting at just over 2000 visits per month. I just launched a new site in the same niche but much broader (think brandable domain name instead of partial match domain), and I'm wondering if it's a good idea to just redirect the old site to this new domain?

The first website has been around for just over 2 years and has about 200 backlinks. No amazing backlinks but still, 100% organic and mostly very niche specific (som main competitors even). If I do upload all the old articles to the new one and 301 them independently, what do you recon will happen? I'm ok with having to wait the "sandbox" period, but will my rankings transfer to the new domain eventually?

What would you do in this situation? The old domain has no future and I'm just waiting for it to drop in rankings because of inactivity (can't find any new keywords to target, hence no articles have been posted for 6-7 months now). Should I wait until the new site is a bit more aged perhaps?

Can someone help me with the template for PTC website please

 

[praetserge]

Ok but do you see the same rankings as before? Or does the domain change have some negative impact? I've never done anything like it before but with all the latest Google updates you never know what will make a site crash and burn.

Same thing.... I've also seen some companies in my niche doing rebranding and... no difference.

 

[Mr. Blackhat]

Yes, you can do 301 redirects but in a proper way as rebranding so it will help you. The best example of this thing is tooltester.com and how they rebranded and started tool tester you can read a detailed article on detailed.com here is the link https://detailed.com/review-site-interview/.

Thanks for sharing this article, it was a very interesting read! Never heard of the website but it sure gave me some inspiration.

Same thing.... I've also seen some companies in my niche doing rebranding and... no difference.

Thanks. I guess I just have to try then.

 

[praetserge]

Thanks. I guess I just have to try then.

I, personally, didn't use it.
https://support.google.com/webmasters/answer/9370220?hl=en

 

[DigitalSir]

Thanks for sharing this article, it was a very interesting read! Never heard of the website but it sure gave me some inspiration.

Most welcome. Do let us know the outcome of your 301 redirects and hopefully it will give you positive results.