We recommend keeping your existing .org, .co.uk, .info domain even after moving to the new .gov.uk website to ensure a smooth and secure transition.
This allows us to automatically redirect anyone visiting the old site to the new one, so users who have bookmarked the page or are using older links won’t encounter errors. It also helps retain your visibility in search engines like Google, preserving the value built up over time.
In addition, keeping the domain protects your organisation’s name and prevents it from being registered or misused by others. It also ensures that any remaining links or communications tied to the old domain continue to function during the transition period.
There have been real cases where third-party websites have created pages for UK parishes that appear official and have contacted businesses for payment, causing confusion about whether they are linked to the parish council.
While these may not always be outright scams, they demonstrate how easily a council’s identity can be imitated online. Retaining control of legacy domains helps prevent this kind of misuse and protects public trust.
Overall, retaining the domain is a simple but important step to maintain continuity, protect your brand, and provide a seamless experience for your users.
The costs of retaining the old domain is £25 ex vat per year to bring it under Parish Online's management.
But if required we can delete an old existing domain as long as the above points are understood and we have the management of the domain otherwise you need to contact the previous supplier.