I've read I can use CNAME to point the domain to the website. If the webhost url for the site doesn't get indexed with Google, just the cname is indexed, will I need to worry about any search penalties using the method. I have no idea what a CNAME is, so obviously not sure what the effects would be on seo.
[edited by: Webwork at 1:44 pm (utc) on Mar. 15, 2006]
[edit reason] Not hosting provider name drops please. Use generic "my webhost". Thanks. [/edit]
I have website hosted at <snip>"a host>
Is this an existing website that already has a domain name, and you are wanting to point an additional domain name at? Or is it a shiny-new one that you only have an IP address for?
I should also mention that the cname only send visitors to the site via the www extension only. So I forwarded the domain to itself via GoDaddy to allow visitors to access the site without the www. Any idea if this will cause me a problem?
This is a shiny new website that only has a mydomain.sharedip.com address
What's the reason for the subdomain? Does the site have a permanent IP address?
Is this hosted in your home or office on a connection that uses a dynamic IP address?
Or is it hosted with a web hosting company? They do sometimes give you a subdomain under their domain as a convenience. The intention is that you will use the subdomain to initially access your control panel. It's not intended as a way for users to access your website, though.
In any case, you CAN use a CNAME, but I wouldn't advise it.
If the site has a permanent IP address, use an A record, pointing to the IP address. There's no need to use a CNAME. The CNAME just slows-down DNS resolution, as it requires an extra DNS lookup.
Even if the reason for the subdomain is that you are using a dynamic connection, you can find a low-cost DNS host that can handle dynamic DNS updates on your own domain name, rather than having to use their domain name and have to CNAME your domain to their subdomain. That is, you can still use an A record for dynamic IP - you just have to get the right DNS service.
As far as SEO implications - I'm not an expert on this, and you'd probably be better-off asking in one of the SEO-orientated forums. But I'd avoid having duplicate content on multiple domains unnecessarily.
