How To Change Your Domain Name: A Complete Guide 

Key takeaways: 

• Changing your domain name involves several steps. You’ll need to register a new domain, configure domain name system (DNS) settings, and set up proper redirects. 
• Redirects and SEO audits help search engines understand the domain change and maintain your site’s visibility. 
• Network Solutions offers tools and support. You can search, register, and manage your new domain from one place with guidance at each step. 

Changing your domain name isn’t as simple as editing a setting. You can’t directly rename an existing domain. Instead, the process involves registering a new domain and redirecting your website’s existing content to it. You’ll need to plan the transition carefully if you want a name change. 

In this guide, we’ll cover the reasons for changing your domain name, how to do it step-by-step, and what risks to watch out for. You’ll also get tips on SEO preservation, communication strategies, and post-migration monitoring to help ensure a smooth and successful switch. 

Why change your domain name? 

Your domain name is a big part of your online identity. It’s the web address people type in to find your site and it can have a real impact on how your brand is seen. Sometimes, buying a new domain name can be a smart move. Here’s why: 

You’re updating your brand 

If your business is going through a rebrand—maybe you’ve changed your name, focus, or audience—then it’s also important that your domain matches. Keeping an unrelated or old domain can confuse visitors or make your site look outdated. A new domain helps show people exactly who you are today. 

Your current domain isn’t great for SEO 

Search engines look at your domain name when ranking your site. If your current domain is hard to spell, too long, or doesn’t include any keywords related to your business, it could be hurting your visibility. Choosing a domain that’s short, relevant, and easy to remember can help more people find you online. 

You want to avoid legal issues 

If your domain name is similar to another company’s name or a registered trademark, you could run into legal trouble. Changing your domain is a good way to protect your brand and avoid confusion with other businesses. 

You’re combining multiple websites 

Sometimes businesses grow in different directions and end up with more than one website. If you’re ready to simplify things, switching to a single domain can help. It brings all your traffic to one place, makes your site easier to manage, and improves your brand consistency. 

Risks of changing a domain and how to avoid them 

Getting a new domain can be a smart move, but it’s not without risks. If the process isn’t handled carefully, it can lead to problems like lost traffic or confused customers. Fortunately, most of these risks are easy to avoid with a little planning.  

1. Drop in SEO rankings 

Search engines may take some time to recognize your new domain, especially if redirects aren’t set up properly. This can cause a temporary dip in your rankings and website traffic. 

How to avoid this: 

• Set up 301 redirects for every page on your old domain. 
• Submit your new sitemap to Google Search Console. 
• Monitor your rankings closely and fix any crawl errors quickly. 

2. Confused visitors 

Regular visitors or customers may not recognize your new domain and wonder if your site has disappeared or if it’s even legit. 

How to avoid this: 

• Announce the change clearly on your website, social media, and via email. 
• Use banners or pop-ups to explain what’s changed and reassure visitors they’re in the right place. 
• Keep your old domain active and redirect it to the new one. 

3. Broken links and missing pages 

If redirects aren’t done correctly, users (and search engines) may land on broken pages or error messages. 

How to avoid this: 

• Use a redirect map to make sure every old page points to the right new page. 
• Run a broken link check after the switch using tools like Screaming Frog or Ahrefs. 

4. Technical glitches 

Changing your domain may affect your hosting setup, security certificates, email settings, or third-party tools. 

How to avoid this: 

• Work closely with your web host or developer before making changes. 
• Make sure your SSL certificate is updated for the new domain. 
• Test everything in a staging environment if possible. 

5. Loss of backlinks 

If other websites link to your old domain and those links aren’t redirected, you’ll lose the SEO value they bring. 

How to avoid this: 

• Set up proper redirects from old URLs. 
• Reach out to sites linking to your old domain and ask them to update their links if possible. 

What should you do before changing your domain name? 

The process for getting a new domain isn’t something you want to rush. A little planning upfront can save you from headaches later like broken links, dropped search rankings, or confused customers. Here are some important things to do before you move forward: 

Step 1. Back up your website 

Before touching anything, make a full backup of your site. This includes all your files, images, databases, and settings. Most hosting providers offer easy backup tools, or you can use a plugin if you’re on a platform like WordPress. If something goes wrong, this backup will save you from starting over. 

Here’s a quick way to back up your website if you need help: 

1. Log in to your hosting account. Access your control panel (like cPanel or your hosting dashboard). 
2. Download your website files. Use the File Manager or an FTP client (like FileZilla) to download all files from your site’s root directory. 
3. Export your database. If your site uses a database (like WordPress), open phpMyAdmin and export a copy of the database in SQL format. 
4. Save everything locally. Store both the files and database in a secure location on your computer or in cloud storage. 

Step 2. Buy your new domain name 

As we’ve mentioned earlier, you can’t just rename your domain; you need to register a new one. Use a trusted domain registrar like Network Solutions to search for and purchase your new name. Make sure it’s easy to remember, fits your brand, and doesn’t conflict with any trademarks. 

Step 3. Set up the new domain with your host 

Once you’ve registered your new domain, connect it to your website hosting account. This usually means: 

• Pointing your domain to the correct DNS nameservers  
• Updating your hosting settings to recognize the new domain 
• Making sure your SSL certificate (for HTTPS) is installed correctly 

Check with your hosting provider for specific instructions. They often have walkthroughs or support teams to help you through the process. 

Step 4. Set up 301 redirects 

Redirects tell search engines and users that your site has moved. You’ll want to set up 301 redirects from each page on your old domain to the matching page on your new domain. This helps preserve your SEO and ensures visitors land in the right place. 

Here’s a quick overview of how to set up redirects: 

1. Create a redirect map. List all important URLs from your old domain and pair them with their new equivalents. 
2. Access your hosting account or CMS. If you’re using a platform like WordPress, you can install a redirect plugin (like Redirection) to manage 301s easily. 
3. Edit your .htaccess file (for Apache servers). Add lines of code to your .htaccess file to redirect each old URL to the new one. 
   • Example: Redirect 301 /old-page https://www.newdomain.com/new-page 
4. Test your redirects. Use a tool like Screaming Frog or your browser to confirm each old URL correctly points to the new one. 

Step 5. Update internal and external links 

Go through your website and update any internal links that still point to your old domain. This includes menus, buttons, and image links. If possible, reach out to other sites that link to you and ask them to update their links as well—it helps with SEO. 

Step 6. Tell search engines about the change 

Head over to Google Search Console and add your new domain. Then submit a new sitemap so Google can index your updated site. You should also: 

• Use the Change of Address tool in Search Console (if applicable) 
• Submit the new domain to other search engines or webmaster tools 
• Monitor performance over the next few weeks to catch any issues early 

How to change your domain with Network Solutions 

Switching to a new domain is especially easy with Network Solutions. Here’s how to register a new domain, connect it to your website, and make the transition smoothly. 

Step 1. Create or log in to your Network Solutions account 

If you’re a new customer, you’ll need to create an account. If you already have one, just sign in. This is where you’ll manage your domain settings, DNS records, and other services later on. 

Step 2. Update domain settings and DNS 

After purchase, go to your account dashboard and: 

• Navigate to your new domain’s settings. 
• Update your DNS records to point the domain to your existing website host. 
• If your site uses HTTPS, make sure to install or update your SSL certificate to match the new domain. 

What should you monitor after changing your domain name? 

After switching to your new domain, your job isn’t quite done. It’s important to keep an eye on how your site is performing so you can catch and fix any problems early. Here’s what to monitor in the days and weeks after your domain change: 

1. Website traffic 

Use tools like Google Analytics to watch your site traffic. A small drop is normal right after a domain change, but if traffic continues to fall or doesn’t bounce back, it may be a sign that something needs fixing like broken links or missing redirects. 

2. Search performance 

Check Google Search Console often. Look for: 

• Crawl errors 
• Pages that aren’t getting indexed 
• Keyword rankings that dropped off suddenly 

Make sure your sitemap is up to date and submitted under the new domain. 

3. Redirects 

Double-check that your 301 redirects are working properly. Every old URL should send users (and search engines) to the right page on your new domain. You can use tools like Screaming Frog SEO Spider or Ahrefs to scan for any broken or missing redirects. 

4. Site speed and performance 

After the switch, test your website’s load time using tools like Google PageSpeed Insights or GTmetrix. A domain change can sometimes affect speed if things aren’t configured correctly (like caching or hosting settings). 

5. Email and connected services 

If your business uses email addresses tied to your old domain, make sure they’re still working and update them to the new domain. Also, check any tools or platforms that may still be connected to the old domain, including email marketing, CRMs, or forms. 

6. User feedback 

Sometimes your audience will notice things before you do. Keep an eye out for messages, contact form submissions, or social comments that mention broken links, errors, or confusion about the new domain. 

Set your new domain up for success 

Changing your domain name is a big step, but with the right plan, it can be a smooth one. Whether you’re rebranding or simplifying your online presence, take the time to prepare, set up redirects, and monitor your site after the switch to help protect your traffic and search rankings. 

When you’re ready to make the move, Network Solutions can help you register the perfect domain and guide you through the process. A fresh domain is a chance to align your brand with where you’re headed next. 

Frequently asked questions