Nameserver screwup by my host

a.com pointing to b.com

[eljefe3]

I have a site a.com which actually showed up under b.com I then informed my host and they say it was a nameserver problem and that they will fix it. Now that it is fixed, when I see my listings in the SE's it shows b.com/yadda.htm and when the link is clicked, the visitor gets a 404 error.

What's the best way to handle this so the visitor gets taken to a.com/yadda.htm from the SE listing?

Is this a 302 redirect or?

[webdude]

I would use a 301 permenant redirect. I am not sure that google has worked out the bugs on the 302s or meta refreshes as of yet.

[eljefe3]

I get this back from support:
As we have removed the DNS entry for the domain b.com (not my site) and this domain is no longer existing on our server. Inshort the URl that you have provided to redirect --
[b.com...] is not in existance.

Do I have any options at this point? I had 8000 pages indexed under the wrong domain.

[webdude]

I would ask for the b.com to be put back in place and then ask for a 301 redirect. It sounds like it was their problem and maybe they will work with you on this.

I would also, if you can, try to keep this 301 in place for a while, at least until you get some of your correct pages crawled and indexed.

[eljefe3]

Webdude,

You're right with me as I did ask them to restore the namerserver settings and then do a 301 redirect from their messup. I'll let you know what happens when I hear from them.

[webdude]

Sounds Good. Is b.com a domain name you own? If so, I have a dns server and could possibly help you out if your hosting company does not come through for you. We could set up the record to point to my dns server and I could write the 301 for you and keep it up for a while. I have some spare IPs and wouldn't mind having you borrow one for a while.

Keep me posted.

[eljefe3]

Unfortunately b.com isn't my domain so I don't think the host will help. b.com was listed in yahoo under 3 different domains and all the pages were seriously getting spidered.....

[jdMorgan]

> they say it was a nameserver problem and that they will fix it.

Keep that e-mail or letter, especially if their mistake costs you. In the meantime, you might want to try to get a few fresh incoming links, just to jog the spiders' memories about your correct domain name. Also, this may be one case where "submit your site" is actually useful.

Jim

[eljefe3]

Thanks Jim.

[webdude]

Bummer on the b.com. If you don't own the domain, you are pretty much at their mercy. I agree with JDMorgan that you keep all communications and try adding some incoming links.

It should eventually straighten itself out.

Sorry I couldn't help further.