301 redirects. If new website is a different business does it still send link authority?

[isaac663]

Hi Guys.

I'm a music producer and studio owner.  I want to start a new business for online music mixing.  Instead of starting from scratch I want to use a 301 redirect from my previous site that has built up a little authority over the years.  However, the old site is purely for my music studio, there is no mention of online mixing services. Will Google consider this 'odd'?  Pass less link juice?

Or perhaps pass no authority at all if Google 'decides' the 2 business are unrelated?

Cheers in advance guys.

Isaac.

[TomRayner]

Hi Isaac

I actually think you would be OK redirecting the old site to the new one and, should any authority pass, it would be OK and not seen as manipulative.

This is because, to someone who isn't a music professional and not a great expert on it (like me), the two websites don't actually seem too far apart.  They would both fall under what I'd call a "music production" website.  Therefore I don't really think the redirect would be seen as manipulative, or in other words it would be solely done for SEO benefit (which is the point where Google becomes concerned).

Now depending on how "strong" your site was previously, it may vary how much benefit you'd get from passing on the authority, but I'd say go for it.  All I would say is that just be sure you're OK with not promoting your online studio by itself before redirecting, as undoing a redirect could get messy.  But if you want to consolidate your business into the single site, I'd say you'd be fine to 301.

Hope this helps.

[isaac663]

Thank you so much!  Yes that does help indeed.

One small question if i may?

I maybe have 20 backlinks to the site, but all high quality and very relevant.  I would keep almost all the value of these links wouldn't I? And wouldn't it bowd well because Google 'knows' I've been around for a while?

Thanks.

Isaac.