Changing domains

[cobrakoi]

I would like to change my domain to another domain name however I don't want to lose my search engine position. What is the best way to change domains and have the SE crawlers index your new domain with the same ranking?

[Webwork]

No guarantee but the generally accepted as reliable advice is to permanently redirect (301 redirect) the pages of the old website to the pages of the new website.

Why, though, do you want to abandon the old domain if it's an established site that ranks?

Might you now simply build a companion site at the new URL with fresh content?

[Quadrille]

Dividing the content over two sites, IMO, would be a worse option.

Ideally, stay where you are; if you really have to move, then put everything on the new site, and place a 301 at the old domain, then remove tho old site after a few days.

Your new url will dip, but will then gradually rise to the level of the old.

You can assist the process by persuading as many as possible of those linking to you, to update - but not all will, so you'll need to apply to some more quality directories, and think about getting extra links.

Moving a site is a good time to check its functionality and navigation (xenu is your friend), place a user-friendly 404, and remove duplication, trash and the detritus of years.

It's probably a bad time to reshape the site completely, as return visitors may be confused and lost forever.