Changing .com to .com.au

what will happen to rankings?

[spica42]

Well, I'm listed pretty well in yahoo but I made a mistake when I sign up for the domain. My site is call example.com but since my targeted audence is in australia, I'll like to register for example.com.au now.

How can I ensure that change the domain this way will not sink my rankings.

[Warren]

I have had a similar issue and have put in a simple 301 redirect - a .com site hosteed in Australia but also with a .com.au domain.

It has not changed our Yahoo! rankings negatively at all and has helped significantly with Google rankings.

Warren

[Marcia]

Warren, I'm not sure which is which. What's the one being redirected to?

[Warren]

Opps - sorry.

.com.au domain that was drawing away focus from .com (opposite to this problem but similar).

301 redirect from .com.au to .com.

[Marcia]

Very cool, thank you Warren. So then .com is good and doesn't interfere with AUS only/specific search then - assuming the site is hosted locally.

Thanks!

[Warren]

Had no issues at all.

Has been great.