Changing Domains

[mat_bastian]

We've redesigned the website for our client and encouraged them to have
their site on another URL. Their original URL was www.something-not-so-good.com and the new
one is www.something-a-bit-better.com.

Q: How can we retain the search engine status they have built up on their old
site?

[mat_bastian]

any and all ideas would be appreciated.

[mat_bastian]

Will using php to send the following headers work?

<?php
header("HTTP/1.1 301");
header('Location: [something-a-bit-better.com...]
?>

[willybfriendly]

A few months ago we changed a URL and used an htaccess file to do 301 permanent redirects on all pages from the old site. This has worked well for Goolge. Other SE's either do not respect/follow the 301's, or have yet to pick them up. ATW, Teoma and Ink all continue to show the old pages while virtually ignoring the new site.

If I were to do it over again I would rewrite the old material for the new site, make the planned additions and then simply link the old site to the new, at least until the new one was standing on its own.

WBF