I would definitely keep http://www.example.com and then redirect the non-www to www.
Not sure how will affect your data / SEO.
If you want a redirect all traffic from non-www to www here’s a tutorial:
http://php.quicoto.com/how-to-redirect-non-www-domain-to-www/
Cheers
Today I noticed a few errors with my Google Analytics data,
How did you add your site to Google Analytics?
Did you use the www version or not?
I added my site to GA without the www, so it’s been doing its thing that way for about 2 months. If I change the GA settings and add the www there, I’m thinking I’ll lose 2 months worth of indexing, recognition, etc. Maybe that’s not a big deal (?) but it seemed like changing the setting in WP would be more ideal than changing the one in GA. Since I’m so new at this, I felt it best to ask first! =)
Changing the www in Google Analytics won’t make you lose any indexing. You might (not sure) lose analytics history but that’s all.
In order to change domains properly you must go to Webmaster Tools, there you can do changes with better control over Google index.
Cheers.
Ricard, Thank you! When I first set up GA, I created a www and a non-www in the account, because somewhere in the GA setup it says the two are considered different entities to a search engine. I ended up with two GA codes, and plugged the “non-www” code into my Ecwid cart – but I don’t remember what else I did, isn’t that terrible? It’s been so long and there’s been so much to learn my brain is a bit on the mushy side.
What I see in my GA now is that the ‘www’ version hasn’t had a single bit of data come through – it’s like it doesn’t exist. But the non-www version does. Which leaves me wondering why I even set up the www version to begin with (unless I did something wrong in the setup, which may very likely be the case).
Anyway, having the two in GA with one apparently not working at all is what had me worried about changing down the one that did work, but now after posting this I think I’d rather risk whatever is in GA than my actual site.
My hosting platform came with a ready-to-go link to GA, which I didn’t notice originally. I’m thinking it might be easier just to delete what I did directly thru GA and start over with that link, making sure the settings match up with WP as I go.
I think no matter what the general consensus is not to change my url in WP – so I am very, very glad I stopped to ask before I did that!
