301 Redirect from now defunct website?

[DHS_SH]

Hi guys

Quick question about 301 redirection between domains.

I currently manage a website, lets call it website A.

Website A sells a particular product range, however the decision has been made by the powers that be to pull the plug on the business and sell the products previously sold via Website A via another website within the parent companies control.....lets call it Website B.

I need to make it clear to customers of Website A that the company no longer operates but want to pass the SEO equity that has been built up over time to the relevant pages on Website B.

My plan was to

1. 301 Redirect all key landing pages on Website A to the most relevant pages on Website B

2. Initially keep the website A homepage live but change the message to say "Website A no longer operates, but Website B can help etc. etc."  Remove all sub links from navigation.

3. Monitor referral and direct traffic levels and consider 301 redirecting website A homepage to Website B homepage in the long term.

My questions:

• Does this sound like the best approach? If not, what alternatives are there?
• Will Website A look like a link farm for Website B? I dont want this obviously!

[TranslateMediaLtd]

Hi DHStom,

This seems like a reasonable approach.

But is there really a need to have the landing page on the old site to state that 'website A no longer operates..'? Is website well known and/or does it have a loyal customer base? Also does website B offer all the same products as website A used to?

[DHS_SH]

Hi Yusuf

Yes. Website B will now offer the same product as website A. Website A would also have repeat visitors.

Do you then think it would be a better bet to create a page on website B instead explaining that Website A is no longer in operation and redirect to this? I guess this may bring in branded traffic to website A using website Bs brand name?

[TranslateMediaLtd]

Hi Tom, yes - I think you'd be better off creating a page on website B which explains that website A is now website B.

I would also explain the site move on all the other redirects (but only for visitors arriving from website A). Yoast writes a good post about how to do this.

https://yoast.com/change-domain-name/

[BCME]

Hi Tom,

I am interested in how your project turned out with the redirect from the defunct site.  I am in the exact position now and would love to know if you have any wisdom to impart...?

Cheers,

Brett