changing domain names

from .us to .com

[lkamoku]

I just purchased a webite that i plan to redesign.

i do not like the current domain name .us (no revenue, little traffic), PR1
i want to use a domain name that have sitting around which is a .com

new to all this so not sure what i need to do and where to start or if there is anything necessary that even needs to be done, other than set it up on the new domain and let the other one redirect to new domain name?

since both site are new, no established traffic, i'd like to do this now rather than later.

any feedback appreciated.

thanks

[Quadrille]

The worst that can happen is that your new site is treated as a new site.

That is, you can lose ALL the benefit you have built up with links, directory entries, bookmarks, rankings and so on. All.

If you redesign / restructure at the same time as you change domains, the worst is very likely to happen.

Much better to transfer the site as is - zero changes - and do not even think about major changes for a few months - minor changes ok, additions are fine, navigational changes are suicide.

The rationale is that the SEs are being forwarded to a new URL, but you want them to 'think of it' as the same site; so it needs to be pretty much the same site, until they've assimilated the whole shebang.

Search for 301 permanent redirect - there's some good threads on the process and problems.

And read Cool URIs Don't Change [w3.org] - it will help!

[timwestla]

lkamoku,

Most web hosts will allow you to point more than one domain anme at a website. Simply add your desired name so that there will be two domains pointing at the site. You could promote your new name and ignore the .us name. When the .us name comes up for renewal, just let it expire.

OK, now something that baffles me is, if you don't like the domain name, and it has little traffic with a poor ranking, and you want to redo the web design, why did you buy it? Just curious :)

[new_seo]

First of all do u think that due to the domain name your site is not getting traffic and revenue?
See, the amount of traffic of a site not depends on the domain name it depends on optimization. As you are saying that you just purchased the site, I feel you need to check the potentiality of your site. After that if needed change the URL.

Now coming to the redirection issue. If you want to do redirection do 301 and keep the content as it is right now. Give SE time to recognize your new URL and transfer the value of previous URL to new one. After that change the content if needed.