How to Change Your Website Address
A company name change or an update of some sort may be one of the reasons why you would need to change your website address. Changing a website address is an inexpensive process, but if not done properly it can affect business that is visiting the current web address you are using. Careful planning and choosing the correct domain registrar will allow you to change your website address where in some cases your customers will not notice the change.
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Instructions
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Select a domain registrar for the new website address. A domain name is the name you created for your website after the "www." Select a domain registrar that offers domain parking and domain forwarding in case you change domain names again. Domain registrars can charge as little as $1 to over $14 per year.
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Contact your current web host so you can change the name servers of your website address. Your web host is responsible for maintaining the content and traffic of your current website. When speaking with your web host they may require you to know the name servers for your domain name. Log into your domain name back office to obtain this information. Your domain name registrar will give you this information in your welcome e-mail once you purchase your new domain name.
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Speak with your current domain registrar to determine if you have domain forwarding. If you would like your existing visitors using your old website address to use your new website address you need domain forwarding. Some domain registrars offer this service free. When your current viewers visitor or website address it will automatically forward to the new website address you just changed. If you are unable to forward your domain name, e-mail or contact your visitors to inform them about the new website address.
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Test out your new web address to ensure your website is still functional and working properly. Have friends and family visit your website at different times to ensure there are no issues or timeouts. It may take up to 48 hours or longer for the new website address to connect with the existing website.
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Tips & Warnings
If you have an e-mail address for your old website address you will also need to change the name servers and establish a new e-mail account to obtain mail with your new domain name.
If you are happy with your current domain registrar, it may be easier and less expensive to allow them to change and transfer your new website address.
