What are the effects of changing Servers & URL structure?

adioking · #1 () 06-13-2008, 02:11 AM

Hi,

I'm strongly considering changing the URL structure of my site as well as the server it is on. What are the SEO effects that I can expect from making this decision? How should I write my 301 redirects in my .htaccess file?

Thanks!

Pokerboy · #2 () 06-13-2008, 02:34 AM

301 all pages individually to the new pages. Each URL must be redirected for optimal performance.

As to the server - it isn't that important, but it depends on who google view your current location (joined IP address with other sites?, hosted in a non-english country etc.)
Oh yeah - same things apply for the new server..

adioking · #3 () 06-13-2008, 06:37 AM

I would be moving from a shared server on Godaddy (sharing with hundreds of unknown sites) to a dedicated server that is located in the US, sharing the server with 2 or 3 other authority sites.

Also, there is one minor issue that I'm not quite sure about. I have had this site redesigned in the past and have already changed URLs once about 2 years ago. I have old 301 redirects in place for these new URLs. My question is whether or not I should chainlink the URLs or not. What I mean is should I point URL1 to URL2 then link URL2 to URL3 (chainlink) the links. Or... should I simply link URL1 to URL3.

Pokerboy · #4 () 06-13-2008, 07:51 AM

ok - I don't see a problem moving servers.

Good question about the 301's though. Are there still many incoming links to the old URL's?

I think both of your models will work - I think I would go for:
point URL1 to URL2 then link URL2 to URL3

URL1 probably don't have many incoming links anyway and the authority of that URL is passed on to URL2.

I think the fastest way to move your URL's would be chainlinking - if you are lucky you won't even notice the change

BTW - why do you want to change your URL structure?

adioking · #5 () 06-13-2008, 07:02 PM

There are hardly any links coming into URL1 pages, so I think the best move might be removing URL1 redirects completely, then using URL2 to URL3.

I'm changing the URL structure because I'm moving from a non-CMS backend to a CMS. The new CMS doesn't allow the old (crappy) structure to work.

A friend of mine just changed to the same server, and his website dropped in rankings when you search his domain name. The funny part is that the other guy who has his website on the same server is now ranking above him for some terms... that's kind of what I'm afraid of happening to me.

StinkyT · #6 () 06-14-2008, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adioking

A friend of mine just changed to the same server, and his website dropped in rankings when you search his domain name. The funny part is that the other guy who has his website on the same server is now ranking above him for some terms... that's kind of what I'm afraid of happening to me.

There is some work to be done to make sure that the migration from one server to the other does not cause any issues. I would suggest you first make the server move, then update to the new CMS & URL structure.

LadyHoldem · #7 () 06-15-2008, 01:30 AM

Every site move I've ever had has been a bit bumpy

. All well worth the effort, so if you're going from squished to dedicated, so worth it.. but.. bumpy.

The redirects for moving pages works like a charm so far