Migrating to a new domain is a significant step that requires careful planning to ensure your SEO performance remains intact. Google Search Console (GSC) provides essential tools to streamline this process, helping you maintain search rankings and avoid common pitfalls. Here’s a complete guide to effectively managing a domain migration with GSC.
Steps to Prepare for a Domain Migration
Preparation is the foundation of a successful domain migration. Start by conducting a full audit of your current site to identify pages, links, and resources that need to be transferred. Create a detailed 301 redirect map to ensure every URL on your old domain points to the corresponding page on your new domain. Update your sitemap to reflect the new domain structure and ensure that internal links are updated. Inform key stakeholders, including your development and marketing teams, to coordinate the transition seamlessly. For a deeper understanding of migration strategies, explore our Google search console course.
Using GSC’s Change of Address Tool
The Change of Address Tool in Google Search Console is crucial for notifying Google about your domain migration. Once your new domain is live and all redirects are implemented, log in to GSC, verify ownership of both the old and new domains, and navigate to the Change of Address Tool under settings. Follow the prompts to select your new domain and confirm the changes. This tool ensures Google understands the move and begins transferring signals like rankings and authority from your old domain to the new one. Additionally, submit your updated sitemap through GSC to help Google crawl your new domain efficiently.
Tracking Indexing and Coverage Post-Migration
After the migration, use the Coverage Report in GSC to monitor indexing on your new domain. Look for errors or warnings that may arise, such as pages blocked by robots.txt or issues with redirects. Use the URL Inspection Tool to check individual URLs and ensure they are properly indexed. Pay close attention to metrics like clicks and impressions in the Performance Report to identify any significant traffic drops and address them promptly.
Fixing Post-Migration SEO Issues in GSC
Common SEO issues after a domain migration include broken links, missing redirects, and indexing delays. Address 404 errors by ensuring all old URLs have proper 301 redirects. Check for structured data errors in the Enhancements Report and resolve them to maintain rich results in search. If some pages are not indexed, use the URL Inspection Tool to request indexing manually. Additionally, monitor your backlink profile and reach out to external sites to update any links pointing to your old domain.
Monitoring the Transition Over Time
Domain migrations are not instantaneous, and it’s essential to monitor the transition over several weeks or even months. Use GSC’s reports to track traffic recovery, indexing progress, and keyword rankings. Compare the performance of your old and new domains to ensure you regain any lost visibility. Regularly update your sitemap and continue submitting it through GSC as new content is added to the site. Monitoring these metrics over time will help you identify trends and refine your strategy.
Migrating to a new domain can be a challenging process, but with the right preparation and tools like Google Search Console, you can minimize disruptions and maintain your SEO performance. Leveraging GSC’s features ensures a smooth transition and provides actionable insights to address issues as they arise. To master domain migration and other advanced SEO strategies, enroll in our Google search console course.