Four Key Points on Multiple Domain Hosting

Multiple domain hosting has been a popular trend for sometime now.  The advancement of the internet and web technologies have attracted the attention of the world, drawing new customers to the hosting market at a rapid rate.  With so many opportunities available in the way of business prospects, networking, entertainment and e-commerce, newcomers are trying to garner success by covering as many angles as possible.

The concept of multiple domains allows hosting customers to broaden their horizons by running numerous websites from a single account.  In theory, this is a seamless process where you manage all of your domains with convenience and efficiency.  Because these solutions are increasing in popularity, finding a host that offers this service shouldn’t be a problem.  However, you should know that a special set of features are required to embark upon your run with multiple domain hosting.   Following these simple guidelines should help you towards that finding that solution.

Disk Space

It is imperative that you select a hosting plan that offers enough storage space to effectively run multiple domains.  While you may not need a tremendous amount that comes with a hefty price tag, you don’t want to be in a situation where the host doesn’t provide enough.  Not only must you think about the number of sites you plan to run, but also the type of content those sites will consist of.  For example, a website with large high-resolution digital pictures or streaming videos will require far more disk space than one that simply contains text and small thumbnails.

Bandwidth

Similar to disk storage, bandwidth all depends on the type of content you plan to host.  If your site is to consist of audio and video content, you will need an appropriate supply of bandwidth in order to allow visitors to download your files.  Without it, your visitors will suffer from slow page loads and service interruptions.  A site that performs sluggishly is guaranteed to send frustrated visitors packing to the exit.  Just think if you have two or three websites experiencing  this problem.  Having an adequate amount of bandwidth is critical because of if you exceed the monthly quota, your sites will be completely inaccessible. 

Email Support

There are a number of features that add to the experience of multiple domains and email is something you may want to consider.  The web has become highly sophisticated over the years but email communications remain prevalent.  You just might need separate accounts to allocate to employees, customer service and other departments.  A multiple domain hosting solution is incomplete without enough email accounts to satisfy your website needs.

Comprehensive Management Tools

One of the most important keys to a smooth multiple domain hosting ride is the control panel software.  The control panel should be user-friendly and provide you with easy access to all the vital management functions.  You should have easy and convenient access to administering your domains from a central area, even if you aren’t necessarily an expert webmaster.  When it comes to maintaining a network of websites, the management tool at your side can either make the venture an absolute breeze or a terrible nightmare.

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May 21, 2009 : Domain Names No responses yet

Increasing Visibility Through Sub-Domains

Multiple domain hosting is a trend that has become very popular over the years.  In the most common application, this refers to a hosting solution that allows you to host more than one domain on a single account.  While there are certainly benefits to such a solution, this article will focus on why you may want to consider using sub-domains instead.

What is a Sub-Domain?

Hence the name, a sub-domain is basically a sub or second level of a primary domain.  For instance, if your domain is sportsworld.com, you could create support.sportsworld.com as a sub-domain.  A perfect example is how Dell has created a separate support area (support.dell.com) for its main website.  It is quite similar to a primary domain in the way it can achieve independent search rankings and also act as an individual website.  When used correctly, sub-domains can go a long way in enhancing your visibility.

The Advantages of Sub-Domains

A sub-domain can provide you with a weapon to effectively battle the competition in your niche.  You can choose to set it up as an extension of your main website or another site altogether.  In the eyes of the search engines, a sub-domain is viewed as an independent site.  It can be manually submitted to a search engine such as Google or Yahoo just like a standard domain.  This also means that by linking to your main domain, it appears to be an inbound link coming from a different site.  A sub-domain can also play an important role in your pay-per click campaign.  The Google AdSense program only allows 35 characters to displayed in your URL, making it difficult to fit the your chosen keyword phrase or product into the mix.  Utilizing a sub-domain makes the perfect alternative as your keyword can be easily inserted into the first part of the URL, giving you a powerful means of advertising your product and increasingly click-through rates.

Using Sub-Domains Effectively

Sub-domains have many uses but the best way to exploit them is to allocate them to the same subject field.  While this should go without saying, it probably wouldn’t be a smart move to add a sub-domain for your clothing line onto the domain dedicated to your IT consulting business.  This is a tool that can act as that essential gateway to your primary website for both visitors and the search engines.  Having the ability to host multiple domains that truly act as individual sites is great but when used appropriately, sub-domains can be just as effective.

The concept of sub-domains has caught on over the years and this popularity is reflected on the web hosting market today.  In fact, they have become a standard feature and generally come included at no additional cost.  The typical hosting solution allows you to create an unlimited amount to be used how you see fit.  In most cases, setting up one is as simple as adding on the sub text in front of your primary domain and clicking a button, a quick process that can usually be done from your control panel software.  While your goals might not involve creating a separate website, the sub-domain is a tool that will always serve a purpose.

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May 07, 2009 : Domain Names No responses yet

How to Avoid the Five Pitfalls of Domain Registration

When deciding to establish yourself online, the first thing you need to do is come up with a good domain name and find a service to register it.  While this all sounds like an easy task, choosing a good one can be quite difficult.  If you succumb to the pitfalls of domain registration, it can actually turn out to be a disaster.  This article will help you avoid five of the most common mistakes made when picking a domain name.

1. Settling for Less - There are numerous extensions that can be used with your domain name.  Some of the most popular variations include .biz, .net., and .info among others.  All make viable alternatives but none offer the chance for visibility like .com.  If your desired domain name is not available in .com, you may want to consider picking a different name altogether rather than settling for lesser known alternatives.

2.  Not Securing Brand - If you need a domain name for online business purposes, it is a good rule of thumb to not only secure the original name, but different variations as well.  This includes plural and hyphenated versions that potential customers may type into their browser bar.  If you do n0t, there is a great chance that the competition will, thus allowing them to capitalize on the popularity of your domain and steal some of your visitors.  Domain names are very inexpensive so this is something you definitely want to consider.

3. Registering a Name that is Difficult to Spell or Remember - A good domain is one that is both easy to spell and remember.  When you tell it to someone, it should resonate with them so they can find your site with no problems.

4. Not using Keywords - If you want to leverage quality traffic from the search engines, using your primary keyword as a part of your domain name is essential.  There are a number of keyword tools that will help you come up with a term that works best for your domain.

5. Lacking Ownership - Even if you pay an annual fee for your domain name, there still might be a chance that you don’t have full rights to it.  For example, if you sign up with a web hosting company that provides a domain with their service, there may be contractual stipulations that prevent you from taking the name to another host.  This is why many suggest purchasing a domain from a standalone registrar instead of a hosting company.

Because a domain name is so vital to your web presence, choosing one should consist of a well thought out process.  Try to come up wit a long list of names that suit your initiatives and narrow your choices from there.  This shouldn’t take long but there is no need to rush either.  If you have to, take a break, get some ideas from others and then add to the list.  Most importantly, make sure you are aware of all the pitfalls and how to avoid them.  After finding the perfect domain name, you will agree that the time and effort invested was well worth it.

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May 01, 2009 : Domain Names No responses yet

Choosing a Domain Name for Your Business

If you plan to start a business online, you will need a website to help promote it.  There is a lot that goes into creating a successful website but it all begins with a domain name.  This simple name acts as the identity for both you and your business on the web.  Because the internet offers world wide reach, this is how you will be represented across the globe.  All of your business prospects and transactions will be associated with this name.  For this reason, the first crucial step in starting an online business is securing yourself a good domain name.

The Rules of Domain Name Registration

There are a few rules that must be applied when choosing a domain name for your business website.  First and foremost, you want to pick something that is simple and short as possible.  This will make it easier for visitors to recall.  It doesn’t take a degree in rocket science to know that a domain that resonates is likely to get more visitors than one that doesn’t.

If you really want to capitalize on quality traffic, you need to make yourself aware of all the terms associated with your business website and ideal domain name.  This will help you determine what keywords your niche audiences is most likely to use.  It is vital to account for all you can because once the name is purchased, you are stuck with it for the duration of the registration period.  Furthermore, changing domain names every year isn’t a good look for someone trying to do business online.

Finding the Name

After deciding on a domain name, it’s time to check the availability and find out whether or not you need to go back to the drawing board.  To do this, you need to visit a registrar like GoDaddy or Yahoo to see if your name is still on the market.  We say this because good domain names are scarce, many of them already registered by people looking to turn a quick flip for a profit as well as aspiring business owners who share your line of thinking.

If the domain name you want isn’t available in that exact variation, get innovative rather than discouraged.  Thus, if you cannot find your name as a .com, consider other alternatives such as .net and .biz.  Additionally, you can try several different variations of the name and see if it is available via this route.  Sometimes all it takes is a few extra letters to get a domain name that isn’t too far off from what you wanted originally.

Registering a domain name isn’t much a hassle but finding one that perfectly suits you business can be.  You need to put a lot of thought into the selection process and may have to start from scratch after striking out a few times at the registrar.  However, most find that a domain name acts as the initial building block for starting their business.  Once you secure a good one, everything from your website design to marketing campaign will will fall in place much easier.

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Mar 18, 2009 : Domain Names No responses yet

The Importance of Domain Names

In the early days of the internet, acquiring a domain was a relatively ease process.  While they were more expensive, good names were widely available.  However, as people discovered the benefits of the internet, more online businesses were created and good domains started to become scarce.  Because of this, finding the one you truly want may be difficult if not impossible.  This article will briefly touch on why the domain name is so important.

What’s in a Domain Name?

So, what makes a domain name so special?   Well first of all, it represents both you and your website online.  It also plays a major role in generating traffic to your site as visitors will either type the URL into their browser bar or access it through a hyperlink.  When choosing a good domain name, visitors will be able to find you with ease and also associate the name with your business.  While sub-domains serve a purpose, nothing shows ownership and credibility like your very own domain name.

Just like fingerprints, no two domain names are the same.  There is no one else in the world that can have the same as you, making your email address or website completely unique.  After registering a domain name, you have essentially secured your home on the web.  It can help you become popular with the search engines and put your products or services in easy reach of those who need them.   Most importantly, it lets people know that you can be trusted and taken seriously.  If you intend to establish a reputable presence online, having your own domain name is a must.

Securing a Domain

Domain names are being purchased by the thousands everyday.  Some are used immediately for websites or email while some are used for other purposes.  It is quite common for people to buy domains for a business or website they plan to launch in the future.

Some people buy domains with the sole purpose of selling them for a profit, and others purchase them to leach off link popularity and traffic.  Whatever the reason, it all means that the domain you are after may not be available.  This is why it is a good idea to register a good name before someone else does, especially if you have aspirations of starting a business online.  It is a small investment that could pay off big in the long run.  As of now, you can easily purchase a domain name for under $10 a year.  If a savvy domain shark beats you to it, you could end up paying hundreds to thousands of dollars for it.  In a worst case scenario, you won’t be able to purchase the domain at all.

In Closing

When it comes to online business, a domain name is often the difference between converting visitors into customers or losing them altogether.  While the good ones are vanishing fast, there are still more than enough to go around.  This should give you all the ammunition needed to secure your future online.  After all, if you don’t take your image seriously, who will?

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Mar 12, 2009 : Domain Names No responses yet