To use new domain name or not?
-
I've had a web site since before most people knew what a web site was, aeroconsult.com. It has a page authority of 30, domain authority of 21, and 21 root domains that link to path. The problem is, I am not getting many organic hits, and I am wasting a lot of non-productive money on ad words.
Because this site is over 20 years old, with a few rudimentary modifications, I decided to create a totally new web site that is modern and that has a regular menu, pictures, etc. It also has a domain name that more accurately reflects what I do. I am an engineering consultant working in the area of RF and microwave design and development. I design rf and microwave circuits and systems for clients. Those clients range from individual inventors to start-up companies, to large (and, yes, sometimes) corporations, including some aerospace companies. But, I do not design rockets, space ships, airplanes, or other things that an aerospace company does. I get a lot of organic hits on "aerospace consultant", "aerospace consulting", "aerospace design", etc. But, those are useless to me, since that is not what I do.
So, I designed a new website. It is still under development, but it is out there at rfandmicrowavedesign.com. Clearly, the URL is appropriate to what I do. And, all pages have my company name, Aerospace Consulting LLC. But, even with Google adwords, which I just activated for this site yesterday, I am not getting good results, especially when you look at the cost of the CPC.
I plan to keep my e-mail address, that is tied to aeroconsult.com since it has been out there for over 2 decades and that is what my old clients know. But, I am wondering if I should move the new web site contents to my old domain, aeroconsult.com because of the domain authority, page authority, and links? Or, am I better just leaving the old aeroconsult.com web site out there and concentrate on the new web site with the new domain name?
Both web sites have 1 or 2 organic search results in the top 10, although the only organic search result that really relates to my business is "wireless design consulting" which is #8 for rfandmicrowavedesign.com, although I think it is something like #10 for aeroconsult.com. All other organic search results are less than 50, which is, of course, useless. (Although, #8 for rfandmicrowavedesign.com is pretty impressive since it has only been live for a couple of weeks, vs over 20 years for aeroconsult.com.
Anyway, I am looking for advice. Should I scrap the old aeroconsult.com web site and replace its contents with the contents of rfandmicrowavedesign.com, or should I leave them both active for at least a while? I plan to continue to use the aeroconsult.com domain for e-mail since it has been out there for so long. I guess the real question is whether I would gain lot by putting the clearly better content and structure of rfandmicrowavedesign.com on my old, established, aeroconsult.com, or whether I should concentrate in building up organic and paid search for rfandmicrowavedsign.com.
-
While it might be questionable, throwing away a well-aged domain, it sure sounds like it's causing you some other issues, including bounce rate issues for people who find you simply because of partial domain name match against their queries.
I'd be inclined to take the hit on domain age and move to the new site. 301 redirect the old site's pages to corresponding pages on the new site. You can set up your old email address to forward to your new one, so people using the old will still get to you fine. I wouldn't use the old email address on the new site, as you'll get people ignoring your emails because it's not from a site they recognize.
Got a burning SEO question?
Subscribe to Moz Pro to gain full access to Q&A, answer questions, and ask your own.
Browse Questions
Explore more categories
-
Moz Tools
Chat with the community about the Moz tools.
-
SEO Tactics
Discuss the SEO process with fellow marketers
-
Community
Discuss industry events, jobs, and news!
-
Digital Marketing
Chat about tactics outside of SEO
-
Research & Trends
Dive into research and trends in the search industry.
-
Support
Connect on product support and feature requests.
Related Questions
-
Competitor bidding on our company name
Hi,
Paid Search Marketing | | ChrisHolgate
I'll keep this one short and sweet! We've noticed just recently that a number of competitors are bidding on our company name, clearly with the intention of being listed above our organic result. I'm certain that Google used to allow us to bid on our own company name for a negligible amount but now it looks like we're going to have to chase £1 odd per click to obtain customers who are actively searching for us. Can anything be done about this or is it now nature of the beast that we're going to have to have a price war on bidding on our own company name? Thanks for your help! Chris1 -
Have you had success using adwords to promote blog content?
From time to time I see an ad pop up in search results for blog content and have often wondered how much success these ads have had in promoting the specific post. Does anyone have experience with this? What results did you see?
Paid Search Marketing | | unikey0 -
Looking to syndicate content - can't use PR Web or Outbrain URGENT!
I have a client in urgent need. They have a blog that they are trying to syndicate and drive traffic towards. Their blogs rest on individual URL's and their topics are loosely connected to the gaming industry. We are using PR Web and planned on using Outbrain to drive traffic, but the topics got pulled due to content restrictions. Any suggestions of tools I can use to help syndicate their blogs? Any and all recommendations would be GREATLY appreciated!
Paid Search Marketing | | jfeitlinger0 -
Using multiple domains in one Adwords account
Hi, I am currently setting up an Adwords account and wanted to know if you can run multiple websites through one account. We have 2 domains each promoting a different one of our brands and i was wondering the best way to run the account. Regards Ben
Paid Search Marketing | | benjmoz0 -
Google Display Network had 3000 new placements in May
Hi all, I'm running through traffic figures from May as there was a huge spike. This is down to a spike in Adwords, specifically the Display Network. In May 2014, there is a total of 4337 placements. In April 2014, there is a total of 1561 placements. With nearly 3000 new placements where the ad could be shown, would anybody be able to explain as to how and why this has happened? I've run through the change history, and nothing i've done explains the extra placements. Auto add placements was on, but has been on for 12 months with no more than 50 extra per month. The only change that has been done that may link is I've added a mobile phone extension on ads displayed on mobile devices? The significant extra cost has been of no benefit to the campaign, as the advert displayed on various apps, forums and irrelevant websites.Would be great if anybody could shed some light here! Thank You
Paid Search Marketing | | Whittie0 -
Is there a tool that can use measure and improve the quality score of my PPC landing pages?
Hey guys, I'm trying to improve the quality score for a few of my PPC landing pages. Does any one know a Tool that can help me in the process. Something kind of like the "on page grader" but for quality score. Thanks
Paid Search Marketing | | Felip30 -
Why you should never use Google Adwords To Conduct Key Word Research
Buongiorno from 22 degrees C too damn humid Wetherby UK, The other day a client wanted to know how much a ppc campaign would cost with a specific bank of keywords. So off i went and loaded in the key words and set the ads thinking it was not live.... A week later i get a tap on the shoulder asking why weve been invoiced for £xxxx oh dio mio!! The damn campaign went to live. So ive got two questions: 1. Do Google adwords automatically go to Live once youve loaded up phrases and ads, i really thought it would have made it more obvious, A " Would you like your campaign to go live" prompt would have been appreciated. 2. As a safety measure is configuring a Google Alert in Analytics to ping when paid traffic is picked up not a bad idea just so ive got a warning sytem set up so to speak. Grazie tanto,
Paid Search Marketing | | Nightwing
David1 -
Facebook PPC. Using Google URL Builder - Now What?
Hey There! So I've been trying some FB PPC ads. I recently learned I needed to use Google's URL builder to add the appropriate tracking fields into the URL (source, campaign, etc). The FB ad link now uses a custom URL with all the correct parameters. Now what do I do in analytics? Do I create a filter? A goal? Getting a little dizzy going in circles with google analytic help, and I'm hoping someone here can direct me. Thanks! -Dan
Paid Search Marketing | | evolvingSEO0