9 replies to this topic

[ponchik]

I just found this forum and very glad that I did, seems like you guys/gals have all the answers and I hope that you could help me with mine

We have a client that owns two domain names that are pointing to the same IP address and the same content. Currently both of the domains are being used and www.domain1.com has a higher ranking in Google and other search engines than www.domain2.com. Due to some branding issues, the client wants to slowly phase out www.domain1.com and make users enter their website through the www..domain2.com without losing too much of the rankings and the user base.
Would I use 301 redirect in order to accomplish something like this? The site is sitting on windows machine and uses ASP.

Thanks in advance

[Randy]

Welcome ponchik !

Since it's a slow phase out I would suggest first identifying all of the links that are currently pointing at the domain1.com site, and contacting as many of those as feasible to switch their links.

A 301 redirect is probably the way to go, and will transfer that link popularity for you in time. At least with Google. And likely with the new MSN Beta from the limited tests I've done. Yahoo! is a bit ticklish where redirects are concerned.

So you'll want to take a dual-pronged approach to convert as many of those links so that they point to the domain2.com site as possible and institute a 301 Permanent Redirect as well.

[Ron Carnell]

Jonathan Glick, from Yahoo, sat on the panel for the Redirects & Rewriting session at SES today (along with our own Matt B. and others), and assured some two hundred people in the audience that Y! will now handle 301's and 302's correctly (though their definition of correctly was a little strange, it won't affect many).

Jonathan Glick, from Yahoo, sat on the panel for the Redirects & Rewriting session at SES today (along with our own Matt B.), and assured some two hundred people in the audience that Y! will now handle 301's and 302's correctly (though their definition of correctly was a little strange, the strangeness won't affect many).

Oops, sorry, that was a deja vue moment in progress. Could have sworn I've heard Yahoo say the same thing in the past?

[Randy]

Too funny Ron... Think I should fire up my little jump link 301/302 test again just to see what Y! does with it now?

[chrishirst]

Yahoo does seem to be getting it right (almost) now.

One site I've transfered to a new hostname and technology ( PHP on IIS to ASP on IIS) and because of the issues with IIS, PHP and 301s not working correctly, I had to implement a PHP 302 to a ASP jump page and 301 to the new host from there. Same page names and folder structure are used.

Google handled this perfectly transfering everything over and removing the old hostname in about 4/5 weeks, Yahoo had it all mixed up with a search for either hostname bringing up a mix of URLs (old and new).
This week has seen the same search for either name still returning results for both, but all URLs are now to the new hostname. So it seems they are getting there.

(Not that I do any testing or anything )

[Randy]

Cool ! Good info there Chris.

I've put it on my To Do list to start that test again just to see what Y! does this time around. It would be really nice if they've finally gotten it right. Even if it's only right most of the time.

[webkid_san]

Interesteing - but I am not clear if I should or shouldnt do 301 Redirect ... can some one please tell me in plain English ... thanks

[chrishirst]

depends upon what you are trying to do.

[webkid_san]

I have 2 domains - domain A and Domain B ... Domain A is the main site, the redirect is simply sending people going to domain B to Domain A ... I am using htaccess to do that ...

[webkid_san]

Never mind this link I think answered my question ...

http://help.yahoo.co...ndexing-08.html