Are multiple domains on the same host a problem?

multiple domains

[Mikey]

I build affiliate sites for the widget industry. Like many people I plan to build multiple sites, each on seperate domains, all promoting widgets, yet with differnt layout and slightly varying content. Commom situation I'm sure.

My question is: My Unix host, like most, allows me to create what they call "Add On" domains, where I point each domain to a directory on my main account. So the files for www.new-domain.com actually reside on www.my-main-domain.com/newdomain. Of course the user does not know this, but will the search engines know? I am not going to do any linking between sites, but can the SE's discover this? Is there any more risk of penalty than if I used seperate hosting accounts?

[rfgdxm1]

Why not get a better host that allows true multiple domain hosting? If nothing else, if someone discovers these directories somehow and links to them, then you have mirror content as seen by search engines.

[Mikey]

So they would have to guess the directory name. Is that the only risk? Any recommendations on affordable hosting that allows "true" multi-domain hosting? With this method I can host 25 domains for $25/month.

[Morgan]

It really depends on how they do it technically, but if you're not sure, I'd just not do it. Last thing you need is some corny framed redirect or something.

In general, though, I don't think there's any problem using the same host for many sites. I'm sure Google knows they're the same IP, but from what I've seen they don't seem to care.

Good luck.

[Mikey]

Well it's definitely not a client side redirect. It's handled by Apache on the back end somehow.

[oLeon]

We use an ISP which only allow the same as you mentioned, Mikey, and we have no problems at all.
I really cannot see how somebody should "guess" the subdirectories.