Changing your domain name on GoDaddy can be a crucial step for your business or personal branding. Whether you want to rebrand, fix a typo, or switch to a more memorable domain, GoDaddy provides several options to help you manage your domain portfolio effectively.
This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process of changing your domain name on GoDaddy, including what you need to consider before making the change, the steps involved, and best practices to ensure a smooth transition.
Understanding Domain Name Changes on GoDaddy
Before diving into the specifics, it’s important to clarify that you cannot directly rename an existing domain. A domain name is a unique identifier, and once registered, it cannot be altered.
Instead, what you can do is:
- Register a new domain name.
- Transfer your website and services to the new domain.
- Set up forwarding or redirects from the old domain to the new one.
If you want to keep the domain but change the ownership, that is possible through a domain ownership change or account change, but it is different from changing the domain name itself.
“Think of a domain name like your phone number — you can’t change it, but you can get a new one and have calls forwarded to it.”
Step 1: Choose and Register Your New Domain Name
The first step is to select your new domain name. GoDaddy provides a user-friendly search tool for domain availability and alternative suggestions.
Tips for choosing a domain name:
- Keep it short and easy to remember.
- Use keywords relevant to your brand or industry.
- Avoid hyphens and numbers for simplicity.
- Choose an appropriate domain extension (.com, .net, .org, etc.).
After deciding on a domain, proceed to register it on GoDaddy:
- Go to GoDaddy.com.
- Enter your desired domain in the search bar.
- Select the domain if available, or choose from suggested alternatives.
- Add the domain to your cart and complete the checkout process.
Step 2: Backup Your Website and Data
Before making any changes, it’s vital to backup your existing website and data. This ensures that you won’t lose any important information during the transition.
Depending on your website type (WordPress, HTML, e-commerce, etc.), the backup process varies:
| Website Type | Backup Method | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| WordPress | Use plugins like UpdraftPlus or BackupBuddy to export files and database. | Make sure to export both files and database. |
| HTML/CSS/JS Static Site | Download all files via FTP or GoDaddy file manager. | Verify all assets (images, scripts) are included. |
| E-commerce Platform (e.g., WooCommerce) | Export product database and media files. | Backup payment gateway settings separately. |
| Custom CMS | Consult CMS documentation for export procedures. | Backup database and system files. |
Step 3: Update DNS Settings for the New Domain
Once you have registered your new domain, you must configure its DNS settings so it points to your existing website hosting or new hosting if applicable.
Key DNS records to update or add:
- A Record: Points your domain to your web server’s IP address.
- CNAME Record: Useful for subdomains or aliases.
- MX Records: Directs your email service.
- TXT Records: For verification (SPF, DKIM, etc.).
To update DNS records on GoDaddy:
- Log in to your GoDaddy account.
- Go to your My Products page.
- Find your new domain and click DNS or Manage DNS.
- Edit or add necessary records matching those of your old domain.
- Save changes and wait for propagation (up to 48 hours).
Step 4: Migrate Website Content to the New Domain
If your website is hosted independently of GoDaddy, ensure your hosting provider supports the new domain. Otherwise, you may need to update your hosting settings:
- Add the new domain as an add-on or primary domain in your hosting control panel.
- Upload your website files or import your backup.
- Verify database connection settings if applicable.
For GoDaddy hosting users, you can update your hosting settings directly:
- Log into your GoDaddy account.
- Navigate to your hosting product.
- In the hosting dashboard, locate the domain settings.
- Assign the new domain as the primary domain or add it as an alias.
Important: Test your site on the new domain thoroughly before proceeding with redirects.
Step 5: Set Up Redirects from Old Domain to New Domain
To preserve SEO rankings and ensure visitors who use your old domain reach your new website, set up 301 redirects. A 301 redirect informs search engines that the page has permanently moved to a new location.
There are several ways to set up redirects depending on your hosting environment:
| Method | Description | Applicability |
|---|---|---|
| .htaccess Redirect | Edit your .htaccess file to include redirect rules for Apache servers. | Linux hosting with Apache. |
| GoDaddy Domain Forwarding | Use GoDaddy’s built-in domain forwarding feature to redirect traffic. | Simple redirects without hosting changes. |
| cPanel Redirects | Use cPanel’s Redirects interface to set permanent redirects. | Hosting with cPanel control panel. |
| DNS Level Forwarding | Forward domain at DNS level, often less recommended for SEO. | Basic forwarding needs. |
Setting Up Domain Forwarding in GoDaddy
- Log in to your GoDaddy account.
- Navigate to My Products and locate your old domain.
- Click Manage DNS.
- Scroll to the Forwarding section.
- Click Add under Domain.
- Enter your new domain URL (including https:// if applicable).
- Select Permanent (301) as the redirect type.
- Choose Forward only or Forward with masking (masking hides the new URL).
- Save changes.
Forward with masking can be helpful if you want to show the old domain in the address bar, but it may negatively impact SEO.
Step 6: Update SEO and Analytics Settings
Changing your domain impacts your SEO and analytics tracking. To maintain and monitor your website’s performance:
- Update Google Search Console: Add your new domain as a property and submit a sitemap.
- Notify Google of the domain change: Use the Change of Address tool in Google Search Console.
- Update Google Analytics: Change the default URL in your property settings or create a new property.
- Update backlinks: Reach out to key sites linking to your old domain and request updates.
- Check internal links: Update internal navigation links to point to the new domain URLs.
“SEO value is transferable with proper 301 redirects and timely updates to search engines.”
Step 7: Inform Your Audience and Stakeholders
Communication is key during a domain change. Inform your customers, partners, and stakeholders about the new domain name well in advance.
Effective communication strategies include:
- Send email newsletters announcing the domain change.
- Post announcements on your website and social media channels.
- Update business cards, marketing materials, and online profiles.
- Monitor traffic and customer feedback for any issues.
Step 8: Monitor and Troubleshoot Post-Migration
After migrating to the new domain, continuous monitoring is essential to ensure everything functions correctly.
Key aspects to monitor:
- Check website uptime and speed.
- Verify that redirects are working properly.
- Monitor Google Search Console for crawl errors or indexing issues.
- Track analytics to observe traffic changes and user behavior.
- Fix broken links or missing resources promptly.
Additional Considerations When Changing Your Domain Name
| Consideration | Details | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Domain Expiry | Keep your old domain active for at least 6-12 months. | Ensures visitors and search engines are redirected. |
| Email Services | Update email accounts tied to the old domain or create new ones. | Prevents loss of important communications. |
| SSL Certificates | Obtain and install an SSL certificate for the new domain. | Ensures secure connections and trustworthiness. |
| Branding Updates | Update logos, headers, and other branding with the new domain. | Maintains consistent brand identity. |
| Legal Considerations | Check trademark conflicts and update legal documents. | Avoids intellectual property issues. |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I rename my existing domain on GoDaddy?
No, domain names are unique and cannot be renamed once registered. You must register a new domain and migrate your website to it.
How long does DNS propagation take?
It can take anywhere from a few minutes to 48 hours for DNS changes to propagate worldwide.
Will changing my domain affect my SEO?
Yes, but with proper 301 redirects and notifying search engines, you can minimize SEO impact and eventually maintain rankings.
Can I forward my old domain to the new one on GoDaddy?
Yes, GoDaddy offers domain forwarding to redirect visitors from your old domain to your new domain.
Do I need to update my hosting when changing domains?
Yes, you need to configure your hosting to recognize and serve your new domain.
Summary Table: Domain Change Process on GoDaddy
| Step | Action | Estimated Time |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Choose and register a new domain name | 30 minutes to 1 hour |
| 2 | Backup website and data | Varies based on site size |
| 3 | Update DNS settings for new domain | Minutes to 48 hours (propagation) |
| 4 | Migrate website content to new domain | 1 to several hours |
| 5 | Set up 301 redirects from old to new domain | 30 minutes to 1 hour |
| 6 | Update SEO and analytics settings | 30 minutes |
| 7 | Inform audience and stakeholders | Ongoing |
| 8 | Monitor and troubleshoot | Weeks to months |
Conclusion
Changing your domain name on GoDaddy involves more than simply purchasing a new domain. It requires careful planning, technical updates, and thorough monitoring to ensure a seamless transition for your users and search engines.
By following the steps outlined above—registering a new domain, backing up your site, updating DNS, migrating content, setting up redirects, and managing SEO—you can successfully move your online presence to a new domain with minimal disruption.
Remember: Maintain your old domain active for some time and communicate clearly with your audience to preserve trust and traffic.
