Merging Niche Site

[inhouseseo]

I posted a question about this a while ago, but still haven't pulled the trigger.

I have a main site (bobsclothing.com). I also have a EM niche site (i.e shirtsmall.com).

It would be more efficient for me to merge these site, because:

• I would have to manage content, promos, etc. on a single site. In other words, I can focus efforts on 1 site. If I am writing content, I don't have to split the work.

• I don't have to worry about duplicate content. Right now, if I enter a product URL into copyscape, the other sites is returned for many products.

What makes me apprehensive are:

• The niche site actually ranks for more keywords than the main site, although it has lower revenue. Slightly lower PA, and DA.

• Niche site ranks top 20 for a profitable keyword that has about 1300 exact match searches. If you include the longer tail versions of the keyword it would be more.

If I merge these sites, and do proper 301s (product to product, category to category) how likely is it that main site will still rank for that keyword?

Am I likely to end up with a site that has stronger DA?

Am I better off keeping the niche site and just focusing content efforts on the few keywords that it can rank well for?

I appreciate any advice. If someone has done this, please share your experience.

TIA

[PatrickDelehanty]

Hi there

I wrote a pretty indepth answer for a similar question that you can read here.

TL;DR - Rand also has a great Whiteboard Friday post on this subject called Should I Rebrand and Redirect My Site? Should I Consolidate Multiple Sites/Brands?

Hope this helps! Good luck!

[randfish]

Agree with Patrick - those resources should help and in general, I'd bias to merging the sites. You may even lose out short term, but long term, you'll almost certainly be better off focusing your efforts and energy, and earning the branding benefits of a single site and name.

[ClaytonJ]

Folding or merging websites should be done when possible. The fact you are on this blog querying same shows that you are properly considering the implications of the fold. Take your time to do it right. Consider all options.

A poorly executed fold can have sustained detrimental impact - seen it a few times when Bosses pull the trigger and demand speed & nothing else, no room for thought allowed. I would recommend drawing a site map of both sites and then considering the impact of the re-directs for each page - mapping/planning it out.

I know this is about technical and the boys have that covered but also think about brand, mail outs, informing your data base. However you connect with the customers make sure you have that covered. The customer comes first.

Finally on examples - we have done several mainly eCommerce sites where the blog has been a separate URL not even a sub-domain. None have gone backwards and a couple of them popped immediately after the fold. Ultimately great outcomes for all.  So I have confidence. Just make sure you are doing what you are doing now considering the unique aspects of your website and how you will capture those aspects in the fold.

Good luck.