Your domain (also known as your website address) is available in 4 different variations and these variations can have a big impact on your overall performance on the search engine.
We’ll talk more on this shortly, however let’s look at the 4 different variations.
- http://www.ncdacademy.com.au
- http://ncdacademy.com.au
- https://www.ncdacademy.com.au
- https://ncdacademy.com.au
The first two variations use http:// with or without the WWW
and last two variations use https:// with or without the WWW and deliver the site using an SSL Certificate.
The SSL variations are preferred.
For more info on SSL Certificates check out my blog on: What’s an SSL Certificate?
Each is seen as a separate WordPress site.
Each variation is seen as a separate website, and as a separate website, when it comes to building your authority online. Even if all of the variations point to the same location. It can impact your authority online.
Let’s use the example above.
If you went to any of the domains variations above. The NCDAcademy site is configured to REDIRECT to my preferred NCDAcademy homepage using https://www.ncdacademy.com.au
The REDIRECTION takes place once a user accesses the website. However for the search engines. They only see the variation on “face value”. Seeing each variation as a separate indexable property.
Webmasters tools like the Google Search Console, give you the ability to track each of the different variations, not only so you can see where you’re diluting your search engine efforts but also to allow you to have more control how the search engines interact with your website.
Signposting your customers & Google.
Imagine your website is like a storefront on a bustling street. Each version of your domain, whether it’s with or without ‘www’ or with or without an SSL certificate, is like a different entrance to your store.
Now, think of Google as the friendly neighborhood guide, helping people find their way around the street. When Google indexes multiple variations of your domain, it’s like having Google put up signs pointing to each entrance of your store.
Here’s where nominating one consistently comes in. If your storefront has multiple entrances, each with its own sign, it can confuse potential customers and the neighborhood guide (Google). They might wonder which entrance is the main one or if they lead to different places altogether.
On the other hand, if you stick to one clear entrance with a single sign, it’s much easier for both customers and Google to find you. You won’t dilute your storefront’s authority by spreading it across multiple entrances, and Google won’t get confused about which version of your site to prioritize in its search results.
So, by consistently using one version of your domain, you’re essentially making it easier for Google to guide visitors straight to your storefront, boosting your visibility and authority on the digital street!
Locations to Check & Correct
Examples of where you may have different variations of your domain used:
- On your Facebook business page or personal profile.
- When you give a link in the comments on Social Media.
- Your Google My Business listing.
- On free directories online.
- Any other location online for example; a blog or news article on another website.
- Show notes from a podcast .
- On TikTok or Youtube Description .
What’s a Backlink?
The links or virtual sign posts we’re talking about here are what we call backlinks.
A backlink is any link from a website outside your own website, that drives traffic (potential visitors) back to your website.
When these backlinks are pointing to different locations it confuses the search and impact your the potency when it comes to your search engine rankings.
The volume and quality of your backlinks contribute to your authority online.
In order to strengthen your online presence, build your backlinks and domain authority – just two of many ranking factors when it comes to Search Engine Optimisaiton , we want to make sure that all backlinks are using our preferred variation.
It’s recommended that you go through and update all possible locations to ensure they are the same.
To do this, you’ll need to edit each of the listings – for example your profile on social media or when you give out a link, give the full link. Ensuring to include https:// in your links.
Lastly, How do I check my backlinks?
There are a range of free and premium tools online where you’ll enter your domain variation and it’ll come back with a number of links and which websites those links are included on.
Whilst it’s ideal if you can edit all locations to include the preferred domain. Moving forward you want to make sure that you’re building your backlinks online, that you’ve included the correct domain.
Below is a snippet from the trainings included in NCDAcademy WordPress101® – Improve , part 3 of my WordPress Beginner’s Programme helping non-techies DIY Build, Maintain & Improve their own WordPress Websites without the tech overwhelm.
If you’re interested in learning more about this or have any questions regarding your WordPress website I’d love to support you on your WordPress Journey.
Feel free to reach out for a FREE 15 minute discovery call on Zoom.
