Domain name change

[scrubs]

Hi everyone,

I have had a request to change one of our domains from a .co.uk to a .net when it becomes available later this year.

I am of course dubious of loosing all of the hardwork put into the .co.uk. What I would like to know is what Googles perception of the new domain would be once everything is redirected/switched over (SEO friendly of course).

Could you expect in a matter of months to see the domains simply swap out in the SERPs? This is of course suggesting that the newly inherited .net has a clean bill of health.

[evilgreenmonkey]

Hi scrubs,

Do you know what the domain is currently used for and what it has been in the recent past (http://www.archive.org)?

Are you sure that a .net is a good idea brand wise (less memorable then a .co.uk or .com)?

A 301 redirect on all URLs can result in fast domain change-overs usually, although it all depends on the site's importance.

I would ask the question, what are the benefits other then looking more global? Depending on the market, a .co.uk can actually help with brand perception (especially in finance and insurance).

:)

Rob

[g1smd]

Now that Google takes the age of a domain, the site, and the content into account, you would be barking mad to make this change.

By all means get the .net, but set up a 301 redirect from it to the .co.uk domain.

[scrubs]

Thanks rob, completely forgot about the waybackmachine! I personally feel the .net doesn't carry as much strength as the .co.uk, from a marketing point of view. The results btw show just a few cached pages in 2003, 5 in total I think.

g1smd - the .net has had a shelf life of 5 years longer then the .co.uk (1.5 years), so that is my current issue. I think you are right in saying it would be a bad choice to switch everything over, I am just curious as to what Googles take on it would be.

I agree with the buying the .net and putting a 301 in place.