Reusing a current domain for a new uConnect platform can be an excellent way to maintain active engagement and ensure current users experience the new platform as soon as it launches.
We refer to this process as a Domain Cutover, and there are some differences to this approach that are worth considering.
Coordination of technical work during onboarding
Unless it has been decided that the old site is approved to go offline ahead of the launch of a new uConnect platform, it is usually expected that the domain cutover will happen only once the new uConnect site is ready to go live. This ensures end-users experience minimal downtime between an old site and the new uConnect site.
To facilitate this, uConnect requires a higher degree of coordination with client IT teams to ensure that all of the neccesary technical work is planned ahead of time. In contrast, when deploying a new name, these items can often be handled asynchronously over a longer period of time and is generally more flexible to coordinate technical changes.
For a domain cutover, we commonly ask for a 4-hour window on the day of launch where both uConnect technical team members and client IT staff can be present to ensure the necessary technical configurations are enabled and validated all at once.
Ensuring resource availability and early coordination with client IT teams is key to success when considering the reuse of an existing domain name.
Maintaining Existing Paths + Avoiding Broken Links for Important URLs
Often when a site has been active for multiple years, there have been resources shared and linked off of a client's existing platform. When the domain is reused and pointed to a new uConnect platform many of these links are likely to break due to changes in the legacy site structure versus the uConnect structure.
This is a circumstance that would be present for any major platform change and not something unique to uConnect.
Fortunately, to help with this situation, uConnect offers a redirect service which you can read more about on our Understanding Redirects Page.
In most cases, uConnect can point an old URL to a new location, ensuring that links to any content that has been migrated continue to work after the transition.
For clients who are planning on performing a domain cutover from a currently active site, we recommend reviewing the existing site + marketing materials to make sure that all needed redirects can be validated and put in place before the cutover happens.
For additional information please contact itonboarding@gouconnect.com and one of our technical team members will be in touch.