If a redirecting URL has more value than the website should I move it?

[flowsimple]

Client has two website addresses:

• Website A is a redirect to Website B. It has one indexed page. But this is the URL being used in collateral. It has the majority of back links, and citations everywhere list Website A as the URL.
• Website B is where the actual website lives. Google recognizes and indexes the 80+ pages. This website has very few backlinks going to it.

This setup does not seem good for SEO. Moreover, the analytics data is completely messed up because Website B shows that the biggest referral source is... you guessed it Website A.

I'm thinking going forward, I should:

• Move all the content from Website B to Website A.
• Setup Website B to permanently 301 Redirect to Website A.

Is that the best course of action?

[alfredopalconit]

yes, i recommend to 301 redirect  Website B to Website A since it has more backlinks than B. Its easier to move files on your end than to contact those linking to you to change their URL.

i remember SEOmom said they bought SEOmoz.org because SEOmoz.com was taken. Now that they got the .com, they just redirected it to the .org most probably because it already has tons of backlinks than the .com.

[G-Force]

Hi Pashmina,

How does Website A is a redirect to Website B and can it has one page indexed?

If Website A has a 301 PERMANENT redirection to Website B, then I think it should stay permanent.

If Website A has a page indexed, then I presume it is not a 301 redirection.  In that case, moving the content and making a 301 redirect from Website B to Website A would be a good idea in term of SEO.

But, you shouldn't only think in term of SEO, you should also think in term of branding and usability. What is the domain name that reflects your brand? relates to your products? is easier to remember?

Best regards,
Guillaume Voyer.