Changing domain names?

How to minimize impact on serps.

[rmphoto]

Hello,
I have made the decision to change my domain name to one that includes my keyword. I know there is some debate over this issue, and if google actually uses this to rank a site higher. I dont want to start an argument over the issue so ill get straight to my question:

What's the best way to go about switching domain names and minimizing the affects on my current position? I have a few options;

1. move over all the files, forward the old domain to the new one, and hope google finds the new site location.

2. move over all the files, set up an auto-redirect on the index.html of the old domain.

3.?

I have never done this before... any help appreciated.

[rocknbil]

3. Set up the domains parallel and do a 301 permanently moved header for **all** pages on the old site. You can do this using mod_rewrite, more info in the Apache Forum.

The 301 will tell the search engines the pages have permanently moved and should minimize duplicate content penalties. It will also keep you from losing a lot of your current positions.