2 domain names, same content

[deadlyminds]

Hey all,

I currently run a 5 year old niche website which is doing pretty decent in terms of traffic. The URL of the website contains main the main theme of the website. (eg: www.how-can-widgets-help.com)

I also have another domain name (with a generic name eg - www.xyz.com)) which is being redirected to the website above. I have decided to implemented new social networking and collaboration features on www.xyz.com. Apart from many other things, one of the reasons is to grow the brand (xyz.com).

Now, can I duplicate all content from the old site and keep adding fresh content (have two different websites? Will SEs downgrade the new site because it doesn't have original content?

Or

Should I redirect all traffic from the old site to the new domain? I'm concerned I'll lose a lot of revenue earning traffic if I do this. Also, I might lost some type-in traffic if I do this.

Kind of confused at this point.

[Stefan]

I suspect you'll have trouble either way. Is the idea that xyz.com will be better for matching the brand name, or for the SE's?

The thing is, even though it seems entirely reasonable that you'll move all your content, somehow, from the old site to the new, and G will understand, it might instead totally mess things up. There are many posts here by people who make great changes to their sites, in what seem like sensible ways, and they suddenly disappear in the serps.

Imho, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. If the older site is doing well, stay with it, and add your new stuff there. Maybe start building the xyz independently for the future.

[TXGodzilla]

Why not tie the two sites together? Launch the social networking and collaboration features on the branded domain. Use it as the landing page for ongoing promotional efforts. The branded site can serve as the entry point to the site with history. You can integrate links to the collaboration site from the aged site. Over time, the links within the old pages can be gradually changed to link to the pages on the new site.

Don't alter any incoming links or indexed page names.

Over time you can do small tests by migrating pages or sections of the old domain/site to the new domain/site. Take your time with the process so you can protect the revenue.