By Hridoy Ahmed | Last updated: October 2026 | 7 min read
Short answer: To change your domain name without losing SEO, redirect every old URL to its matching new URL with a 301 redirect, keep the same site structure, add both domains to Search Console, use the Change of Address tool and update your sitemap, canonical tags and internal links. Keep the redirects in place for a long time. Expect some temporary movement in rankings, and do not promise yourself an exact result.
In this guide
Before you move
- Take a full backup.
- Export a list of all your old URLs, from your sitemap or a crawler.
- Add the new domain as a property in Search Console and verify it.
- Try to keep the same URL paths on the new domain. This makes redirects simple.
Step by step
- Set up the new site with the same content and structure.
- Add 301 redirects from each old URL to the equivalent new URL. Do not send every old page to the home page.
- Update internal links, canonical tags and the sitemap to the new domain.
- Use the Change of Address tool in Search Console for the old property, if your move qualifies. Google’s tool is for moving a whole site to a new domain.
- Update your profiles: Google Business Profile, social accounts, email signatures and ads.
- Ask important sites that link to you to update their links, where realistic.
This is a high-risk change. For help, see my website maintenance and migration service.
After the move
- Check that old URLs redirect correctly, with no chains
- Watch Search Console for errors and indexing on the new domain
- Keep the redirects for as long as you can. Google suggests keeping them for at least 180 days
- Keep the old domain registered so nobody else can take it
- Use the post-migration SEO checklist
Common mistakes
- Redirecting everything to the home page
- Letting the old domain expire
- Changing URLs and design at the same time
- Forgetting to update canonicals and sitemaps
- Blocking the old site in robots.txt, so Google cannot see the redirects
FAQ
Will I lose rankings if I change my domain?
You may see temporary changes. A careful move with correct redirects keeps most of your value, but there is no guarantee.
How long should I keep the redirects?
As long as you can. Google suggests at least 180 days.
Do I need the Change of Address tool?
It helps Google understand a domain move. It is not needed for moving from HTTP to HTTPS.
Should I keep the same URL structure?
Yes, if possible. It makes redirects accurate.
How long does Google take to process the move?
It can take weeks or months to settle.
Planning a domain change? I will plan and check every step. See my website maintenance and migration service.
About the author: Hridoy Ahmed is an SEO specialist and WordPress security expert based in Dhaka, Bangladesh. He has 8+ years of experience and works with clients worldwide.