There are various circumstances under which your website might acquire a new IP address, prompting discussions about the potential impact on search engine rankings. Having worked for UK based content services for years, I can answer that there's really nothing to worry about.
For instance, changing your web hosting provider will result in a different IP address even though your domain name remains unchanged. Some opt to purchase a dedicated IP address in the hopes of preserving their SEO standing or to appear more reputable to Google.
This approach stems from a misunderstanding about how search engines operate, specifically the belief that search engines penalise sites sharing an IP address with fraudulent or harmful entities.
However, if your IP address changes due to something as common as a router power outage, it would be impractical for Google to impose penalties, as this would affect numerous sites globally. Furthermore, there are no credible SEO sources supporting this theory.
Any delays in the effect of recent changes to your website may occur as Google's crawlers might take slightly longer to process a site that has recently switched IP addresses. The reasons for this are technical and complex and frankly above my head.
Typically, any issues related to a new IP address should stabilise within one to two days.
Switching your website to a new hosting service typically does not impact your SEO, as long as the site migration is meticulously planned and executed.
Deciding to move to a new host involves considering several key factors, including the anticipated benefits such as improved loading speeds, any unresolved issues with the current host, and potential challenges that the migration might pose.
To ensure a smooth transition during a website redesign or hosting change, it is crucial to address several elements that are significant for search engine algorithms and affect your site’s ranking on search engine results pages (SERPs). These include:
The size and reputation of the new hosting provider.
The server's geographical location.
The technical specifications of the hosting platform, such as disk space, bandwidth, and server speed.
The cost of hosting.
The availability of technical support.
The provision for backups and a business continuity plan in case of emergencies.
Before transferring your website to the new server, it is vital to back up your data. Many hosting providers offer this as a complimentary service. Ensuring that your website’s pages and files are functioning correctly is also crucial.
Changing hosts means a new server IP address for your site. The final step in the migration process involves updating the Domain Name System (DNS) to point to the new IP address. By adjusting the time-to-live (TTL) values, you can shorten the typical 24-hour delay for DNS updates to just a few minutes.
When you hire a copywriter who understands SEO, you'll never have to worry about technicalities like these. At Great British Content we understand what will get you higher and how to keep your site from falling down in the rankings.
Contact us for a chat about how we can help your site get the exposure it deserves.
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