Want site 1 to resolve to new site 2

Either through redirect or some other means

[onedodd]

I posted this at another forum and didn't get any help so if you have the time please shoot me some advice on this. Thanks

I have a domain called *ww.site1.com with decent search ranks.

I also have another domian called *ww.site2.com that reflects my business name better and wish to use this domain as my main and only domain from now on.

New site 2 content will be identical to old site 1, the change is strictly for the name because it is better for business from a marketing standpoint. Also site 2 is on a complete different host.

here is the web address if that matters.
<sorry, no specific domain names>

Because site 1 has very good ranks I would like to try to keep them if possible. With that in mind what should be done or what is the best way to redirect site 1 to site 2. Or have site 1 resolve to site 2?

I currently have a 301 redirect from site 1 to site 2 right now - is that enough or should I do more? There is a problem with this because I already see PR isn't transferred this way.

Questions:

1 - Can I point the DNS nameservers for site 1 to site 2? What will happen if I do this? Is this even possible? Even then would I have to do something in my .htaccess file to change the name of site 1 to the name of site 2?

2 - Is the 301 redirect enough? Because obvious PageRank isn't transferred and that makes me think the top rankings will go bye bye.

3 - What about something called a CNAME? I don't know this but it was suggested to me.

Thanks Much, Joe

[edited by: tedster at 2:22 am (utc) on Oct. 15, 2006]

[Quadrille]

Moving a successful site to a new domain is probably the worst thing you can do to a site; you will always lose something in the move, and some lose a lot. For probably the majority of sites, the move just is not worth it. If the carphone warehouse can succeed with a twenty-year old name that's been obsolete for 15 years, why can't you?

Having said that, you have done the right thing with the 301; that's all you need to do, indeed all you can do to change domains.

Don't worry about page rank; that's always months out of date, and will only upset you!

What matters - and what you must monitor - are position in serps for key phrases; unique visitor numbers (esp Google referrals), and ROI. No other measures matter more for the moment.

You then have the serious business of rebuilding your link network; start with quality directories, and revise existing listings where you can. Look at other ways to get links.

DO NOT - on pain of fingernail removal - do serious rebuilding work on the site's structure and navigation; that can seriously prolong the days before you get some decent listings.

DO continue to build and develop the site, and use xenu to check for naviagtion errors.

Good Luck :)

[elgumbo]

Don't forget to keep an eye on your stats and 404's inparticular. If you start seeing any make sure you set up a new 301 redirect to the new page for that one.

PR should be transferred but it will take some time.

You could also try and get any inbound links changed to the new site.