Changing your domain name is a significant step for any website owner, whether you’re rebranding, moving to a new domain, or just looking for a fresh start. Updating your Google Search Console settings is crucial to maintaining your site’s search performance and visibility. Here’s a detailed guide on changing your Google Search Console domain name in five steps.
Step 1: Prepare Your New Domain
Before diving into Google Search Console, ensure your new domain is ready.
This preparation includes:
- Registering the New Domain: Choose a reliable registrar and secure your new domain name.
- Setting Up Hosting: Ensure your new domain is hosted and your site is live.
- Implementing 301 Redirects: This is essential! Set up 301 redirects from your old URLs to the corresponding new URLs. This preserves SEO value and provides a seamless experience for your users. Use tools like Apache or Nginx to manage your redirects efficiently.
Step 2: Add the New Domain to the Google Search Console
- Log into Your Google Search Console Account: Head to the Google Search Console website and sign in with your credentials.
- Click on the “Add Property” Button: This option is usually found in the upper left corner of the dashboard.
- Enter Your New Domain Name: Choose the correct property type—either Domain (for all subdomains) or URL prefix (for a specific protocol and path)—and enter your new domain. Click “Continue.”
Step 3: Verify Your New Domain
Verification is crucial for ensuring that you own the new domain. Google offers several verification methods:
- Adding a TXT Record: Log into your domain registrar and add a TXT record to your DNS settings. This is often the most straightforward method.
- Uploading an HTML File: Download Google’s HTML verification file and upload it to your website’s root directory.
- Using Google Analytics: If you have Google Analytics set up for your new domain, you can use this method for verification.
Once you’ve completed any of these methods, click “Verify” in the Search Console to confirm your ownership.
Step 4: Update Your Settings
Now that your new domain is verified, it’s time to update its settings in Google Search Console:
- Submit a New Sitemap: Create and submit a sitemap for your new domain. This helps Google crawl and index your new site effectively.
- Review Your Indexing Settings: Ensure your indexing settings are correct and no critical pages are blocked from crawling.
- Set Preferred Domain: If applicable, specify whether you prefer your new domain’s “www” or non-www version.
Step 5: Monitor Performance and Check for Issues
Once your new domain is set up in Search Console, it’s essential to keep an eye on its performance:
- Track Crawl Errors: Regularly check for any crawl errors in the Coverage report and address them promptly.
- Monitor Indexing Status: Ensure your pages are indexed correctly and your new sitemap functions as intended.
- Analyze Traffic Fluctuations: Watch for significant changes in traffic and search rankings. A drop may occur temporarily as Google processes the changes but should stabilize over time.
Utilizing the tools and reports in Google Search Console can help you identify any potential issues early on.
Conclusion
Changing your domain name in Google Search Console is vital in maintaining your site’s search performance during a transition. By following these five steps, you can navigate the process smoothly and help preserve your site’s visibility in search results. If you need further assistance or have questions, please get in touch with our team at Giant. We’re here to help you succeed!