Member Avatar for HelenLF

I have a client with an existing domain name that he wants to retain. However, the domain name isn't seo friendly. Would it be a good idea to have a new domain name with the old one parked or is Google likely to look unkindly on this?
If this is not a good idea, is there any advantage or disadvantage to having another duplicate site with the new domain name.
As I am new to SEO and help or guidance would be great.

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  • Latest Post Latest Post by mahgobb

Dani AI

Generated

A single canonical hostname is the cleanest approach. Running two hostnames that serve identical pages fragments indexing and ranking signals; search engines will pick one and consolidate the rest. If the client wants a new, more descriptive domain for marketing, treat that as a site move or a marketing alias — don’t keep two live, mirror sites with the same content.

Practical consolidation plan:

  • Decide which domain will be canonical (brand vs SEO-friendly) after checking backlinks, traffic and brand recognition from server logs or analytics.
  • Implement HTTP 301 redirects from the non‑preferred hostname to the canonical hostname (preserves signals over time).
  • Update internal links, sitemaps, and any rel="canonical" tags to the canonical hostname.
  • Verify both domains in Search Console and follow the site-move steps so search engines learn the preferred domain. Expect temporary volatility while indexes update.

Example server rules (replace domains as needed):

Apache (.htaccess)

RewriteEngine On
RewriteCond %{HTTP_HOST} ^(?:www\.)?olddomain\.com$ [NC]
RewriteRule ^(.*)$ https://newdomain.com/$1 [R=301,L]

Nginx

server {
    listen 80;
    server_name olddomain.com www.olddomain.com;
    return 301 https://newdomain.com$request_uri;
}

Also use a rel="canonical" in the head while redirects propagate:

<link rel="canonical" href="https://newdomain.com/page-path" />

This expands on points from and by clarifying the difference between merely "pointing" a domain and issuing a proper HTTP redirect, and acknowledges and about weighing domain history vs rebranding. For the official guidance on canonicalization and consolidation, see Google Search Central: Consolidate duplicate URLs.

Recommended Answers

All 12 Replies

Member Avatar for bobchrist

I don't understand what you're actually looking for? Are you looking to add the old site content with the new domain name or vice versa?

Member Avatar for HelenLF

Sorry, my posting was a bit vague.
The client has an old site and I am designing a new site for him with a new hosting company.
He wants to retain his old domain name, but I wondered if it was worth having another more SEO friendly domain name which points to the same site. Or, alternatively, a copy of the new site hosted twice (it is a small site) and each of the domain names pointing to a seperate copy of the files.

Member Avatar for lordspace

I'd keep the old domain because of its age.
If you're starting a new product then feel free to register a new domain.
Many people use shorter domains when they publish ads in magazines and newspapers.

Member Avatar for textbox

I would say no to putting up duplicate sites. Put up the new site on the old domain as it will not incur the new domain penalty. If he still wants to purchase the new domain, just point it to the new site on the old domain.

Member Avatar for HelenLF

Hi thanks everyone for the replies.

Can I take it that Google will not penalise for having two domains pointing to the same site?

Member Avatar for fromthe5

Sooner or later Google will figure out that you have duplicate sites and make an arbitrary decision on which one to allow. To keep control of the situation just 301 the old domain to the new one and you should retain the value of the links pointing to the old site.

Member Avatar for Flower

If your client having an old site then why are you create a new with different, place all new things on old domain for better result/traffic for the website. This way you become safe from the duplicate issue.

Member Avatar for MktgRob

My question is why is he so hot to retain the old domain name? If, as you say, it is not SEO friendly he needs to understand this. I know some people suggest keeping the old domain and having it redirect but it seems like you are trying to jump through hoops over something that sounds a little odd.

Member Avatar for ayoungpretender

if u have a new domain but the old content
there will be two websites in G's eyes
so one of them gonna be regarded as a duplicate web I guess

Member Avatar for ayoungpretender

I have a client with an existing domain name that he wants to retain. However, the domain name isn't seo friendly. Would it be a good idea to have a new domain name with the old one parked or is Google likely to look unkindly on this?
If this is not a good idea, is there any advantage or disadvantage to having another duplicate site with the new domain name.
As I am new to SEO and help or guidance would be great.

the domain name isn't seo friendly--so u mean it not even contain the KW , am i got u right?

Member Avatar for Hsekhar

Better not make another duplicate site. If the owner wants to retain the old domain, let it be. On the other hand if he is convinced with the advantages of new SEO friendly (keyword rich??) domain just use a 301 redirect.

Member Avatar for mahgobb

Better not make another duplicate site. If the owner wants to retain the old domain, let it be. On the other hand if he is convinced with the advantages of new SEO friendly (keyword rich??) domain just use a 301 redirect.

maybe it is the eayest way to do

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