[zhuuraan]

Hi all,

I have a quick question, particularly for the experienced PIPsters out there.

When I first created my stuff, I just picked a domain that I figured wouldn't be taken and went with it. I really had no idea what I was doing.

However, while the domain name is valid for the next several months still, I am looking to change the domain at some point, probably just before the old one expires.

The new domain name is available currrently, as I already checked, and is more memorable and fits better with the revamped version of the site I am currently working on.

Those of you that have been reading my latest posts are aware that I have been working behind the scenes to remake my site and customize it as well as optimize it for a different set of keywords which I think will be competitive and yet not so competitive that they are difficult to optimize for.

My question, or rather two quick questions, are this.

1. I think I know the answer to this, but to be sure, in order to make the domain point to the site with the same host, I just need to keep the hosting service and have nameservers that point to the new domain, rather than the old one, right?

2. Secondly, it should be relatively easy to sift through all the pages on the site and change all the instances of my current URL to the new URL, but I'm wondering how difficult it will be to do the same on my blog.

Jeff Houdyshell is the one who set that up for me, and I have been a naughty girl, not using it as much as I should, partly cuz I've been busy with other stuff but I could at least take out a few minutes to write something. I fully intend to write more, and become even more active once I've redone my site. Anyway, I figure many of you should be able to answer my question, but if not at the least Jeff should know.

I imagine it shouldn't be terribly difficult, but I'm not entirely sure. I'm not sure if it's as simple as editing the files as it is for the main site or if it's a little bit more complicated than that.

Anyway, if you guys could help me out here it'd be greatly appreciated. I am still very much learning and although I have picked up a lot the past few months, I still have a long way to go.

[Patrician]

1. I think I know the answer to this, but to be sure, in order to make the domain point to the site with the same host, I just need to keep the hosting service and have nameservers that point to the new domain, rather than the old one, right?

No. What you need to do is just have Host move your hosting account to the new domain name after you register it.

IF you register it with a different registrar than the host, then you would ALSO need to point the domain nameservers to the host.

Then let me know at the helpdesk so that I can change all the databases - If you have a custom designed site, then you will need to change all references/links to the old name to the new name.
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2. Secondly, it should be relatively easy to sift through all the pages on the site and change all the instances of my current URL to the new URL, but I'm wondering how difficult it will be to do the same on my blog.

I hope Jeff will help you - if not I will - It is easy to search and replace (control+F) but with WordPress you need to know which pages to update - it is not obvious like with index.html...

[zhuuraan]

Thanks Pat. Seems there's more to it than I first thought, but I think the new domain idea I have will suit the site far better. I appreciate the info.

[Patrician]

Keep in mind though that you will lose some momentum if you change the name. You have been building backlinks a long as you have been at this and while the generic sales page ( the one with pluginprofitsite.com/main- ) won't change, all the links with the current domain name will. (so I always tell folks do it asap if you are going to do it)...

There used to be a lot of hoopdy doo about the benefit of having a keyword in your domain name. There is some, but not all that much - so you need to weigh it...

[zhuuraan]

Actually, I don't really have very many backlinks, other than those on this site through my signature, and those would be easy enough to change.

I have been focusing more on personalization and customization as suggested by many people, because I don't exactly want my site to be skipped by the spiders for being a duplicate.

Having the domain as I want it for the new one isn't solely because it fits with my keywords. It's also more memorable than my current one, onlineincomeprofits.net

It is shorter and more relevant to what I am doing and would be much easier for a passer by to remember.

I've often heard websites compared to physical stores. The more memorable they are, the more business they may get, and of course their location is good. The URL kind of provides for both of those.

If I found a restaurant called Taliwagwams, I'd probably never remember the name, but Olive Garden is much simpler and easier to remember. While Taliwagwam's might be good, I may never try it if I forget the name.

So, for that reason, I think the new domain idea fits better with the site, along with going with the keywords better.

Additionally, I've held off on the backlinks a little too because my keywords will be different from the current ones, so I want to build backlinks to the new domain with differing anchor text. I'm also working behind the scenes to come up with good articles both for a blog and for article posting sites.