Webmaster tools change of addresss

[CommT]

Hi Mozzers,

I am about to move a load of content from one site to another and switch off the first site. I've got all my 301s mapped and ready to go. My gosh, that's one heck of a piece of work - it better be worth it

I have been looking at Webmaster Tools Change of address. I want to know which site do I choose to change the address to? I have three versions of my site in webmaster tools:

• the ssl version (https)
• the non-ssl version (http)
• No www. in front

My site has a sitewide SSL certificate (company policy - personally, I'd only have it on the parts that need it, but life's too short for some battles...) so should I send everything to the https version? My instinct says the https version but I really can't afford to get this wrong.

Anyone have any thoughts on this? Please help!

Thank you,

Amelia xx

[GPainter]

Use the site that you want to be your main url

so if you direct all your visitors to just htttp:www. use that

remember you also don't need to do it all at once you can migrate over time to help ease Google into it a bit more and help you not loose as much traffic in one go.

Hope it helps.

[Andy.Drinkwater]

Hi Amelia,

Which version of the site is it that has been verified in Webmaster tools? Google will see each as a separate site, so my guess will be that you need to choose the https.

-Andy

[Whebb]

Hello,

Yes sounds like you need to redirect to the https: version. One thing to keep in mind though is to also set your preferred domain once the change is complete. Is the new site going to be https://www.domain.com or https://domain.com? Make sure the preferred domain matches this along with any redirects that are setup. It's important to be consistent.

[CommT]

Thank you, you have confirmed my thinking on this. I will choose the https version.

I'm OCD and have verified all versions of my site in webmaster tools... Is this normal? I thought it was better to have and not need than not have and need... if you know what I mean?

Thanks again for responding, it's very kind and helpful of you to do so. I hope you are having a lovely day

Amelia

[CommT]

Hi Jstrong,

I have a cousin called J strong! I don't suppose you are the same person, but if you are, Hi James!!!

Thank you for pointing this out, yes it is very important to have a preferred domain set. I'm just about to double-check that I have done it.

Have a great day

Amelia xx

[GPainter]

If you've verified them all you can also tell Google your preferred version thus avoiding the headache as it would only use that one version and you wouldn't have to worry about three of them.

how to : https://support.google.com/webmasters/answer/44231?hl=en

[Andy.Drinkwater]

No problem at all. Good luck with the move

-Andy

[CommT]

Thank you Chris.

I appreciate you taking the time to answer this question for me.

Best wishes,

Amelia