Multiple Domains

2 Domains, One IP

[keyplyr]

For several years I have used my_domain.net, but have always parked my_domain.com, just so no one else would have it. I guess I was rebelling against the dot com frenzie.

Recently I have been hearing from users that they instictively typed my_domain.com and received 404 or other "page not found" errors. This got me to realize that I have no doubt been loosing users.

I now have my_domain.com pointed at the same IP as my_domain.net, although I do not intend to promote it.

I have seen this done at other websites. Can anyone think of any negative repercussion from this?

Thanks,

D C

[Hunter]

keyplyr you should be fine.

[Woz]

You may also wish to check with you registrar whether they have a redirection service for parked domains. This is what I do and I have no problems.

Onya
Woz

[keyplyr]

Thanks for the replies.

>> ...whether they have a redirection service...

Unless I hear solid opinions that I should not have the "extra" domain pointing at my pages, I will leave it as it now is. I paid my server a non-refundable service fee to set this up. I found out that they actually assigned different name servers for the .com than I have with the .net, but serving the same pages.

I never thought of a redirection, but I think they (godaddy) do offer this. What's the difference?

D C

[Woz]

The difference is that if you have two domains pointing to the same IP and thus identical pages, this could be construed as mirroring by the SEDs if they happen to find it and 'may' cause you some grief.

Redirection at the registrar simply means that if someone types in yourdomain.com the registrar will redirect them to yourdomain.net (or whatever you set it up as) and so there is little connection the SEDs can find.

Having said that, there are a lot of if's and maybe's in all this. If you are not coming to grief at the moment then leave things as they are, but be prepared to change is you have to.

Onya
Woz

[mark_roach]

keyplyr, this question has come up a few times before. Use site search to search for "multiple domains" or "duplicate domains" to find the previous discussions.

To briefly answer your question, I would not point your second domain at the same content. I have done this and have been stung. The problem arose when someone else linked to the "non promoted" domain name and a couple of the engines followed the link and booted out all of my promoted pages. The pages that are now in the index have near zero link pop.

An alternative solution is to set up a single page with a link to your main domain.

[keyplyr]

Thanks for all the input. I've changed my mind and have started the process to undo the second domain, choosing instead to use the redirection service from the registrar.
Maybe I can even get my money back from my server, but I'm not counting on it - LOL

D C

[mincklerstraat]

Does this also apply for [domain.org...] and [domain.org...] (a subdomain, I guess)? [domain.org...] works for my site, but [domain.org...] doesn't--I think this will be no problem to arrange for my host--but I'd like to keep my SE hits.

[Air]

mincklerstraat,

no the above does not apply to www.domain.org and domain.org, that is such a popular convention that they are seen as one host, typing in either name brings you to the same place and pages. No penalty for that.