Redirecting domains

[brianru]

My current site has a name that I like but isn't easy to remember. I don't want to go through the hassle of moving the site so is it possible to buy a second domain and than setup a redirect that links the second domain to the site?

[vkaryl]

Yes. With caveats.

First, though domain names aren't expensive per se, you DO have to host the second one somewhere. And you can't stop hosting the first one because that's where you redirect from.

Now, there's a perfectly good way around this assuming your host is flexible. Some hosts (mine for example) allow one to "park" other domains free. So if this were me, I would buy "domainname2.com", transfer my hosting account from domainname1 to domainname2 (which my host would allow because she likes me - mostly because I pay my bills on time a year ahead, and I don't violate TOS EVER), "park" domainname1 to domainname2, and I wouldn't even have to do a redirect, because once "parked" the domain ALWAYS displays what's on the domain it's "parked" at.

Nice, hm?

[jdMorgan]

And more caveats....

Make sure you know ahead of time what "parked" means. Often, this may be a 302-Moved Temporarily redirect, or a page that simply frames the hosted site. Both can cause problems with search engines.

The method I prefer is to point both domain names to the same IP address, and then use server-side code to redirect the old domain to the new domain using a 301-Moved Permanently redirect. The exact method depends on your server's 'user' capabilities, and to some extent, your own preferences.

Jim

[vkaryl]

Yes. That's the preferred method when the host is - um - less flexible is perhaps the kindest way to put it....

[Of course, this whole caveat emptor stuff presumes that ANYONE cares what the search engines do....]

[brianru]

Though I'm fine with keeping my current domain and redirecting or parking the second to the first.

[brianru]

My host has cpanel setup and there are the options: addon domains, parked domains. It says I would need to pay extra to park a domain. But that would be it, right?

[vkaryl]

Couldn't say. You should contact your host's tech support for a definitive answer.

I wouldn't personally pay a host to park a domain. My host doesn't require further payment for that option. Considering, I would, were I you, begin looking for a different host.

[brianru]

Also. I've seen how you see sites where wherever u go on the site it keeps the same exact name, without going to /forum or anything. Would the parked domain work like that?

[brianru]

Also. I've seen how you see sites where wherever u go on the site it keeps the same exact name, without going to /forum or anything. Would the parked domain work like that?

[brianru]

I just looked and my $7 a month plan includes unlimited parked domains.

[brianru]

So how would this show up exactly if I park a domain?

[vkaryl]

On my host, ANY parked domain displays as the index page of the domain name to which it is parked.

[brianru]

So basically it should show the parked domain at the home. Once you click on a link to go somewhere else on the site it will show the primary domain.

[vkaryl]

Yes. At least, that's how it works on the ones I have parked. I would think though that this might be different with different hosts - unless it's a "hard-coded" thing....

[Edit - y'know, I was just "re-looking" after I submitted this, and realized that I hadn't actually paid attention to the page address of the page displayed after you click on a link from the parked page. And it's a good thing I went back and looked again, because what REALLY happens is that www.example.com (parked at www.mainsite.com) shows the main site index page, and when you click on the links, the address bar etc. shows www.example.com/page1.html and so on. Which is NOT what I thought was happening, what I posted above, OR what my own host explained would happen when I asked her! *shrug* Sorry!]

[brianru]

Thanks for the help. I'm going to try it out this weekend since I want to buy the domain anyway.