Webflow doesn't 301 reddirect the default domain?

Publishing help SEO
1

Hello, I’ve changed my domain name and am trying to use the Google Change of Address tool. When I try to validate it says that it can’t fetch the redirect of the old domain to the new one. (Attached a pic)
I’ve read that if you simply put the new domain as your default one in webflow, webflow automatically 301 redirects to your new domain.

Can somebody please help?

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2

I’d expect that’s correct, but it will only redirect if you’ve set the new one as the default domain.

Check to make sure you’ve done that, then re-publish everything, and then I expect the CoA tool should work ok.

3

I did set the new one as the default one… :confused:
That’s why I’m wondering why Google thinks it’s not 301 redirecting…

4

Ah I see the problem.

https://cartechposter.shop/ is redirecting fine.

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But http://cartechposter.shop/ ( note the http: ) is still pointing at an old site here-

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So, two things-

First submit your CoA with https:, not http:

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And second, you’ll want to fix your DNS records.

I don’t know enough about Webflow’s specific approach, but I’m not seeing Webflow’s CNAME record for either cartechposter or 0-62.

5

Were you able to resolve it? The truth is that this whole issue is quite unpleasant, and no one knows how to resolve it in Webflow or Godaddy.

6

Were you able to resolve it? The truth is that this whole issue is quite unpleasant, and no one knows how to resolve it in Webflow or Godaddy.

7

There’s nothing special happening here.

  1. Add your new domain name to your Webflow site
  2. Make it the default, and republish
  3. Test the 301 redirects; visiting old URLs should redirect to your new domain.
  4. Then do your Google CoA

The rest is on Google.

Even if you do nothing, it will pick up the redirects during its regular googlebot visits.

8

I dealt with this same issue today while trying to transfer my site to a new domain that I added into Webflow. I figured it out and wanted to share what works.

The issue ultimately lies in Google Search Console, and to resolve it you have to add your old property as a URL-prefix, not just at a domain-level.

Here’s how to fix:
(1) Ensure your old and new domains are verified in Google Search Console as domain-level properties (Google will still check ownership at the domain level)

(2) Add the old domain also as an https property, explicitly as a URL prefix

  • In search console, click add property
  • Choose URL-prefix
  • Enter exact URL of old site with https

(3) Re-run change of address

  • Select the old property as https:// URL prefix (not at domain-level)
  • Go to settings → change of address
  • Select the target as the domain-level of the new domain

So basically:

Migrate from: https:// (URL prefix of old domain)

Migrate to: domain level-property of new domain