As a digital marketing agency that works with nonprofits regularly, we understand the nuances that come with website design, development, SEO, and even the small, but important details that make a difference in a nonprofit’s online presence. Recently, we helped one of our nonprofit clients transition their website domain from a .com to a .org extension.
The decision was strategic, aligning their online presence with the nonprofit sector’s standard: .org. Everyone knows that .org means “nonprofit,” and this simple change will help the organization create a more trustworthy and recognizable online identity for its mission and cause. It’s a move that makes sense from a branding perspective, and also from a practical one.
Transitioning from a .com to a .org domain name is not a simple task, but it’s definitely something we can help with. Below, I’ll walk you through the entire process—what it takes, the challenges involved, and how we managed to execute this transition seamlessly for our client.
Step-by-Step: Transitioning from .com to .org
When we first discussed the possibility of switching domains with our client, they were understandably a bit overwhelmed. Changing a website domain isn’t just about registering a new URL. It’s a comprehensive process that touches on several aspects of their online presence: domain name registration, website hosting, website content, and even email systems. So, let’s dive into each step of how we made it happen.
1. Securing the New .org Domain
The very first thing we did was check the availability of the desired .org domain. Fortunately, the nonprofit’s name was available, which is often a rare and happy situation. Once we confirmed availability, we registered the .org domain through a reputable registrar. We made sure that the registration included privacy protection and extended the registration for several years to avoid any future renewal headaches.
A crucial part of this step is ensuring the .org domain is properly registered and secured. This helps to prevent any potential third-party interference or domain hijacking down the line.
2. Setting Up Domain Forwarding
Once the .org domain was secured, the next step was to ensure that the transition wouldn’t break any existing website traffic. We set up domain forwarding from the old .com domain to the new .org domain. This ensures that anyone who types in the old .com address will automatically be redirected to the new .org site. It’s a simple step, but one that helps preserve the nonprofit’s SEO rankings and keeps visitors flowing to the right place.
It’s important to note that we used a 301 redirect (permanent redirect) here. This tells search engines that the change is permanent, which helps transfer SEO value from the .com to the .org domain over time.
3. Updating Website Hosting Settings
Next, we worked with our hosting provider to point the new .org domain to the website’s files. Many hosting platforms allow you to manage multiple domains under one account, which made this transition a little easier. We updated the DNS settings for the .org domain to ensure it properly pointed to the same files that were being served under the .com address.
Sometimes hosting companies require additional steps for the domain switch, so we stayed in constant communication with the hosting provider to ensure everything was configured correctly. Ensuring the hosting environment was properly set up to serve the .org site was crucial for the success of the transition.
4. Website Adjustments and Content Updates
With the domain now pointing to the right place, it was time to make changes within the website itself. We went through every page on the site and updated any instance of the old .com domain to the new .org. This included:
- Internal links within the website
- Any calls to action (CTAs) that referenced the old domain
- Social media sharing buttons and embedded links
This step was important not just for user experience, but also for SEO. Keeping internal links consistent across the site helps ensure the search engines can easily crawl and index the new URLs.
5. Email Configuration Changes
When your nonprofit organization changes its domain, it’s important to update your email system, too. Since the nonprofit had email addresses set up with the old .com domain (like info@nonprofitname.com), we needed to update the email addresses to reflect the new .org domain (info@nonprofitname.org).
We set up new email accounts on the client’s email provider and ensured proper forwarding from the old .com addresses to the new .org ones. We also updated any email signatures, contact forms, and communication materials that referenced the old domain.
6. Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Adjustments
Now, one of the most critical parts of this transition was ensuring the website’s SEO rankings didn’t take a hit. Moving from one domain to another can create temporary dips in traffic, but with careful planning, we mitigated the risks.
We updated Google Search Console with the new .org domain and submitted a sitemap. We also updated the DNS records to reflect the domain change and ensured that all metadata—such as title tags, descriptions, and URLs—was consistent with the new domain name. This proactive approach helped search engines index the site properly without significant disruptions.
7. Notifying Stakeholders and Updating Marketing Collateral
Lastly, we made sure to notify the nonprofit’s stakeholders about the domain change. This included updating any printed materials, email signatures, business cards, and social media profiles. We also sent out an announcement to their email subscribers, letting them know about the exciting change and providing a brief explanation of why they’d be seeing the new .org domain.
The Bigger Picture: Why .org Makes Sense for Nonprofits
While the technical steps above are essential, the real reason behind this transition is even more important. The .org domain is inherently tied to nonprofit organizations. It’s a widely recognized extension that communicates to the public that an organization is mission-driven, not profit-driven.
In my experience working with nonprofits, I’ve seen how important it is for them to foster trust with donors, volunteers, and the community. A .org domain helps reinforce that trust. By making the switch, our client is aligning their online presence with this well-established convention, which helps build credibility and recognition.
Let Us Do the Work for You
Changing from a .com to a .org domain is not a trivial task, but it’s one that can significantly benefit your nonprofit organization in the long run. From securing the domain to updating email systems and making sure SEO rankings remain intact, every step requires careful planning and execution.
At SafeHouse Web, we’re experienced in handling these types of transitions for nonprofits. We know how to manage the technical aspects, so you can focus on your mission. If your nonprofit is considering a domain change—or if you need help managing your website, SEO, or social media presence—don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re here to guide you through every step of the process.
