will changing domain name screw up our pg rank?

[lprest]

We're considering changing domain names for our rental and sales pages in order to use simpler and easier to spell urls. Our rental page is now PrestRealty.com and we are getting tired of spelling it out on the phone to people "p as in pet, no i in either word- no its realty, not reality" etc.
But we come up really well on Google and don't want to lose that. Google help says, if I understand it right, that if you use 301 redirects it shouldn't hurt your rank, but it makes me nervous. Has anyone done it?

[webmaster]

That is complete BS actually - if you change your domain you WILL lose rankings - a 301 will only help Google re-establish credit for page rank, and some link pop - it is not as simple as swap a domain, 301 and you're fine.

[Discover Davis Homes]

I think from a branding standpoint you should not change the name of your site. If the name of your company is Prest Realty than a domain of prestrealty DOT com is a good address.

[Adier]

changing domain names & preserving rankings - mod_rewrite
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&r...te&btnG=Search

[lprest]

What about taking out a simpler name and putting it as a parked domain which goes to the original site? Would this have any Google effect?

[ericbramlett]

What about taking out a simpler name and putting it as a parked domain which goes to the original site? Would this have any Google effect?

This would be fine. Get a new domain that you think is easier to brand and 301 redirect it to your site. Now, you can put the easier domain on all your marketing materials, and continue to SEO your current site.

[webmaster]

I honestly don't know how (Can't imagine) how you can find a better domain than you have though - there aren't that many good ones available, and in order to justify all this hassle, it would have to be one damn good domain name if it were me doing it.

[Emerson]

Has anyone done it?

I have seen several clients waste big money, time and reputation by abandoning credible domains.

Instead, just adopt an alias name for your business such as "XXXXX Real Estate Services". You could use the name on the phone and you could add the alias to the title of your relevant web pages such as XXXXX Real Estate Services by Prest Realty which shouldn't damage your rank at all.

Just make sure that your state's Sec. of State and your bank are OK with the name selected.

[lprest]

The reasom we were considering is this: We get a lot of calls from out of towners, and we direct them to our web site to see our available rentals, fill out applications, etc. People mis-spell our name all the time. Even Qwest has our bills coming to Prest Reality (note the i). I'm getting VERY tired of spelling and re-spelling for people."no, not priest, no i, realty, not reality, no i in either name". I'm sure some people never get it right. Also, some company has prestreality.com (again, note the i) and offer to find an agent anywhere if people type in that mis-spelling.
But it sounds like the best thing is to leave the domains alone but get an easier to spell and remember name that points to the original one.

[ericbramlett]

Why not get their email address & phone number, and then email them your website?