Changing URL without dropping from SERP

what is the best method

[snowfox121]

I never expected to make my site into what it is, and now I've decided that my URL should reflect the reality. So i need to register a new URL and have searchers be directed to the new pages (which would have the exact same stuff on them as the old pages.) The pages will have the same names. Instead of www.mydomain.com/stuff.htm, the page will be www.my newdomain.com/stuff.htm

I am at a critical time for my site now, when i can't afford to lose any searchers. It would mean a loss of business. Am i best to wait till the rush is over? How do i do the transition without dropping out of SERPS? Is there a FAQ on this so that i don't waste the space and time when it's all been worked over before?

If i register a new domain and put the exact same pages up does Google consider this a duplicate? If so, how do i avoid penalties?

[bcc1234]

Do a permanent redirect from your old urls to the new ones.

[rfgdxm1]

>I am at a critical time for my site now, when i can't afford to lose any searchers. It would mean a loss of business. Am i best to wait till the rush is over?

In that case BY NO MEANS change anything at this time. Why mess around with what is working at a critical time? Wait for a non-critical time. My advice would be to wait until a non-critical time. Then, as soon as the Google dance begins that month (keep checking here), slap the site up on the new domain, and then set up a permanent redirect on the old domain. Then immediately contact sites that link to you to change their link to the new one.

[dkoller]

Just want to second the course of action rfgdxm1 recommends. The new domain may reflect your content better, but probably won't result in noticable traffic gains short-term even if done without a hitch. I'd definitely wait until you hit a slower business cycle. (If it ain't broke, don't fix it =p)