This website is very popular, and is ranked very well. However the domain name suggests nothing about the site's content.
When I ask people to visit the website verbally, they get confused. They don't understand that the domain name may not be the TITLE of the website.
The problem goes something like this, "Oh, you like widgets? You should visit my website 'Widgets World' at www.MyCatsName.com".
They respond, "www.widgetsworld.com?"
"No, www.MYCATSNAME.com..."
"I don't understand....you said you owned www.widgetsworld.com"
"No...I SAID I owned 'Widgets World' AT www.MyCatsName.com"
Silence....and then, "I'm still confused.."
I also receive emails from folks who ALSO say that when they recommend the website, verbally...people get confused.
I am STARTING to get some branding, but I'd like an easier way to get the VERBAL recommendations and avoid confusion.
So I registered the domain name www.CoolWidgetsWorld.com (widgetsworld.com was already taken..)
Now here is the problem. I don't want www.MyCatsName.com to get banned by any search engines. It's the original and I am not interested in chasing down all my backward links to get them changed. Many are to articles I've written...etc. It would be over a month's work of non-stop work.
The way I see it I've got 3 choices.
1. 301 redirect on my NEW domain> www.CoolWidgetsWorld.com points to www.MyCatsName.com
2. Meta redirect on www.CoolWidgetsWorld.com to www.MyCatsName.com with the following code:
<html>
<HEAD>
<META HTTP-EQUIV="Refresh" CONTENT="0;URL=http://www.MyCatsName.com">
</Head>
<BODY>
</BODY>
</HTML>
3."Park" www.CoolWidgetsWorld.com at www.MyCatsName.com
Meaning it's pretty much a mirror. They share the same IP address.
#1--I don't know how to do. But I understand it may be the best way.
#2--is pretty simple, and I can do it, but probably a poor man's workaround. I don't know the pros and cons.
#3--is just asking for trouble, I THINK.
I am just looking for a simple, yet LEAST dangerous way to get the VERBAL recommendations.
Most of my potential readers don't care WHAT the domain name is, they just want a simple name to remember when they type it in the address bar.
I would rank priorities this way:
A. Stay in the good graces of any SE
B. Get the verbal recommendations.
C. Avoid lengthly discussions, as shown above, with potential users.
Any suggestions or experience with this?
Redirect 301 / [maindomain.com...]
#2 - both can get picked up, especially if a competitor links to the second domain. It's happened to people, it's not good - duplicate content.
#3 - "Pointing" is risky, I just had an experience with a second domain being "pointed" for type-ins without letting me know. I found out by accident, checking at Google. All the search engines managed to get both. I hollered, it was put on hosting, changed to a 301. Worked right away with Google this weekend (fortunately), BUT a great #4 ranking at FAST is gone, they've got the second name which won't rank and the first is toast. AV also - same index page content, the original site took a hit.
301 or mod_rewrite is probably the best.
Is there a step-by-step guide?
Is it easy to do? Or should I say, "is it easy to screw up?"
I am willing to try, but if the downside is pretty bad...it's not worth the risk, and I'd prefer to hire it out.
Thanks for the help.
redirectPermanent / [mycatsname.com...]
Worked just fine!
