Is it a good idea if I use "Change of Address" tool in Google Webmaster Tools for a page-level redirection?

[esiow2013]

Thanks in advance!

[Devanur-Rafi]

Hi there, the "change of address" option in Google webmaster tools account is for domain or site level change where a domain has moved to new address. This is not intended for page-level redirection. However, if you can give us more details about the issue at hand, we will be able to suggest you better.

Best,

Devanur Rafi.

[esiow2013]

Thanks for the input Devanur! Appreciate it.

To give you more info about our plan, one of our country verticals or subdivision will become a different brand that will target a specific country. We will not remove/shutdown the old site. We're also thinking of getting a ccTLD domain for this new site and focus on the country we will target. We will redirect the legacy internal pages (category pages and product-specific pages) to appropriate pages under a new domain. Let me know your thoughts.

Thanks in advance!

[Devanur-Rafi]

Thanks for the info my friend. Going in for a CCTLD to target new country is a great idea and is the most recommended way forward in your case. Yes, you are absolutely on the right track as you want to redirect the pages on the old domain to the corresponding ones on the new domain via a 301 permanent redirection. Please do not forget to set the correct geo-target for the new domain in Google webmaster tools account. Also, if possible, you can opt for a server located in the new country as this is also one of the hints that Google looks for while geo-targeting. Here you go for more information in this regard:

http://googlewebmastercentral.blogspot.in/2010/03/working-with-multi-regional-websites.html

Hope the above help. Good luck to you my friend and please feel free to post any queries that you might have in this regard.

Best,

Devanur Rafi.

[esiow2013]

"Please do not forget to set the correct geo-target for the new domain in Google webmaster tools account." - Did you mean to set in a new Google Webmaster Tools account?

[Devanur-Rafi]

You can add the new website to your existing Google webmaster tools account, get it verified and then set the geo-target to the desired country.

Here is how you do it exactly: Taken from, https://support.google.com/webmasters/answer/62399

1. On the Webmaster Tools Home page, click the site you want.

2. Click the gear icon , and then click Site Settings.

3. In the Geographic target section, select the option you want.

   If you want to ensure that your site is not associated with any country or region, select Unlisted in the drop-down list.

Best,

Devanur Rafi

[esiow2013]

Yes, that's what we will do since the old domain will not be dissolved and will stay live for a few months or even a year. We still don't know when we will remove the old site but we're planning to redirect all the country pages (as subdivisions) to ccTLD domains. Geotargeting in GWT is also in our pipeline but thanks a lot for the inputs. Appreciate it man!

[Devanur-Rafi]

Excellent my friend. You are heading the right direction. Though Google says, to keep the old domain live for at least 180 days, I would recommend to keep it live for at least 9 months i.e.270 days. Hope you might have seen these articles from Google, I would like to mention it here just in case you need it:

https://support.google.com/webmasters/answer/83105?hl=en

and

http://googlewebmastercentral.blogspot.in/2008/04/best-practices-when-moving-your-site.html

Best,

Devanur Rafi

[esiow2013]

Cool. It would be a business decision when we will dissolve the old site. Thanks a lot for the info man! By the way, I've added you to my circles in Google+.