The 301 should be pointing to a physical file on the new domain.
After all inbound links and search engines are linking to the new domain yes you could just turn the old domain into a forward from the registrant and drop the hosting on it.

I get the old –> new and I found a great tool to check the type of redirect setup – http://www.internetofficer.com/seo-tool/redirect-check/

In your response you said, “Once you have set up redirects for each page on your website (old -> new) then any IBLs will still be pointing to the old page but due to the 301 redirect will automatically redirect the visitor to the new URL.”

There are no physical files related to the new domain. The redirect is a virtual redirect. Once all the IBL’s are recognized with the new domain name, should I migrate permanently or will the 301 redirect suffice? Are there any benefits to migrating?

Gracias…

You don’t have to move the site or touch the DNS..

Just 301 redirect each page and they will go to the new pages on the new site… that’s why the second part of the 301 redirect requires the complete URL of the new page.
Hope that helps.

Just so I understand correctly, when I type the following:

old-domain.com/about.htm – I will be redirected to new-domain.com/about.htm

new-domain.com/about.htm – I will simply get the page I requested on new-domain.com/about.htm

Now what if the new-domain.com is registered elsewhere? Should I have it migrated to the Web hosting company? The Web hosting company suggested adding old-domain.com’s virtual IP address to the “A record” of new-domain.com then updating the old-domain.com host headers. Then finally doing the 301 redirect for all Web pages.

I’m not a server engineer so this is my understanding.

Please advise.

Thanks.

so that is old-domain.com –> new-domain.com

Once you have set up redirects for each page on your website (old -> new) then any IBLs will still be pointing to the old page but due to the 301 redirect will automatically redirect the visitor to the new URL.

The BIG job in all this (until someone figures out a way to do it automatically) is that you actually need to contact each and every IBL that’s out there pointing to your website, notify them that the URL has been changed and request that they update their link to your site… Start with the most important IBLs (if you’re able).

Best of luck!

I read your response on WebProWorld – “Re: 301 redirect vs. DNS change”. I need to know the correct direction for a 301 redirect.

new-domain.com –> old-domain.com
or
old-domain.com –> new-domain.com

The dilemma I have here is how to perform the 301 redirects of all IBL’s.

Thanks.