You may want to change an existing custom domain name that is connected to your Format website for a variety of reasons, including (but not limited to):
- Change of business or business name
- Rebranding
- Simplification
- Repurposing (an existing website for another purpose)
- Original expired, and unable to be recovered (without excessive financial costs involved)
There are different options available that you should consider prior to changing.
We will cover these first, to make sure you are aware, and try help you make an informed decision.
Things to consider
Only one custom domain name can be connected
We are only able to have one custom domain connected to your Format website. Your existing domain name would need to be removed to allow you to register (or connect) a new custom domain name.
See Existing Format custom domain options below.
Search Results (SEO)
Changing to a new custom domain name will mean that any indexed search results (Google, Yahoo, Bing, DuckDuckGo etc.) for website pages, or links that included the original custom domain name will no longer work. There will be a period of time where your website traffic will drop, or viewers trying to access will no longer be able to find your website.
If you are keeping your original domain name (until it expires at the end of its current registration), there may be an option to Web Forward (redirect) traffic to the new custom domain name.
This will not allow direct mapping of any pages within the site, only the Home page is likely to be reached.
This is not something that would be actioned automatically, and it may not be possible.
Please check with one of our team if you are considering this option.
Existing Page Links
If you are using the Workflow Client Galleries feature with your clients, changing the custom domain name will break these existing links and they will not be able to access. We cannot redirect these page links (URLs).
Any Format Store, Blog Post or any other page links would also break.
Domain Name Recognition
Your existing visitors may not recognize your new custom domain name, so please consider how to let your visitors/clients know of your new custom domain name (advertising, email, social networks etc.)
Analytics
If you have been using an external statistics collection service, like Google Analytics, with your website you would need to create a new Property within the Google Search Console for the new custom domain name and replace the current Google Analytics GA4 Measurement ID code.
Please see our Adding Google Analytics (GA4) using Measurement ID help article.
Sitemap Update
Once the new custom domain name is connected, you will also want to update the Sitemap address.
Please see our Add a sitemap to Google Search Console help article.
What is the cost to register a new custom domain through Format?
To register a new custom domain name through Format would cost US$20 per year, plus any taxes (if applicable).
What top level domains are available?
We are only able to provide new custom domains that end .com, .org, .net, .xyz, .ca or .me
Check whether the new custom domain name you are considering (if not already registered) is available. You can quickly check through the Hover.com domain registrars domain search tool here.
Domains registered through an independent domain registrar
If you are wanting to replace a custom domain that you have registered with an independent domain registrar, like CrazyDomains, GoDaddy, Hover, NameCheap, Network Solutions, Squarespace etc. with a new one from the same domain registrar, follow our How to connect a custom domain name or one of our Major domain name registrars guides. Or we can help connect for you, please follow our How to complete the Domain Help Request Form.
Existing non-Format custom domain options
If your current custom domain is registered through CrazyDomains, GoDaddy, Hover, NameCheap etc, you may have the following options:
- Continue with this registered domain and ask your registrars support team to Web Forward the root domain
http://originaldomainname.comand www subdomainhttp://www.originaldomainname.comas a Visible 301 Permanent Redirect (or Visible 302 Temporary Redirect) to the replacement domain namehttp://www.replacementdomainname.com(or do this yourself) - Use to connect to a different website, set to 'parked', or sell?
- Allow the original domain name to auto-expire at the end of the current subscription
Existing Format custom domain options
If your current (original) custom domain is registered through Format, and you want to register the replacement custom domain name through Format there are four options available:
- If you want to continue using, we can Unlock and provide you with the Domain Transfer Code and you can transfer it to an external independent domain registrar, like CrazyDomains, GoDaddy, Hover, NameCheap etc. and continue to pay the registration fee directly with them. See our How to transfer a custom domain name away from Format guide
- For the remaining time that is left (with the current custom domain registration), ask our support team to Web Forward the original custom domain name (Secondary) to the new (replacement) custom domain name (Primary) once registered. This will help with the redirection of some traffic, but any secure connections with
https://www.originaldomainname.comwill not redirect - Allow the original domain name to auto-expire at the end of the current subscription
- Delete immediately (non-recoverable for at least 60 days as per ICANN policy)
Google Workspace Business Starter Plan (Mailbox) with Format
Option One: We can assist with adding your new custom domain name to your existing Google Workspace Business Starter Plan (if the new custom domain name is registered through Format). This would mean:
- 1 user licence with an email address at both domains
- User can send and receive email from either address
- No extra cost (but only able to have one user)
If you need more users (separate email addresses) to have their own Google Workspace for the new custom domain, subscribe directly to Google Workspace at https://workspace.google.com/
You would also need to transfer the original domain name to an independent domain registrar and continue renewing this (for as long as you are still wanting to send and receive email and to access and files/content stored or other services used with the Google Workspace subscription.
Option Two: We would release and transfer the original Google Workspace Business Starter Plan management back to Google. You could choose whether to continue to subscribe to this service or not (losing access to any email, files, contents and services).
Google have guide on How to download your Google data here.
This would allow you to register a new Google Workspace Business Starter Plan with Format for US$72 plus taxes (if applicable).
Google Workspace or email hosting not provided by Format
You would need to decide whether to continue with email services for the original custom domain name, or send messages to all your email contacts and request they update your email address to the new custom email address.
Some email hosting services may allow you to forward email to the new address, it is recommended to check with their support team.
Keeping the existing custom domain as the Primary Domain, and setting the new (replacement) custom domain name as the Secondary Domain
This is unlikely to be what you are wanting, but we have included as an option. It would require having the new custom domain name http://www.replacementdomainname.com Web Forward (redirect) with a Visible 301 Permanent (or 302 Temporary) redirect to the original custom domain name http://www.originaldomainname.com.
Advantages
- The original domain settings are retained
- No re-indexing for search results
- Existing Google Analytics history retained
Disadvantages
- The new domain name is unlikely to appear in any search results
- After forwarding from the new Secondary Domain, the original Primary Domain is the address that must appear in the web browser address field
- Requires continuing registration subscription of original domain name
- If original Primary Domain is registered through Format, the Secondary Domain would need to be registered through independent domain registrar, like CrazyDomains, GoDaddy, Hover, NameCheap etc.
Decision Made
If your current custom domain was provided by Format, please start a chat or email our team advising your decision so that we can help you through the process.
If your current custom domain was connected from an independent domain registrar it should be possible for you to follow the steps mentioned earlier under the section titled Domains registered through an independent domain registrar.
Still have questions? Reach us on our live chat or email us at info@format.com We’re here to help!