Yes, you can have multiple domain names pointing to your website. The most common question is how do I do it and does it affect my search engine optimization.
How to do it? Feel free to buy any domain names that you want. You can always point them to your site. Keep in mind, you want to focus marketing on one domain name (website address), the same one as your email address. Here are some common reasons to having multiple domain names:
You want to prevent someone getting free marketing or business from the popularity of your site. The most common technique is to get the same domain name but with different extensions, like .net, .org, etc.
You want to get versions of your domain name. For example, your site’s name is PartTimeWebmaster.com. You may also want to obtain ptWebmaster.com.
A domain name you always wanted has finally become available. For example, you always wanted thePartTimeWebmaster.com and it finally became available.
You want to obtain a domain name that was easy to type. For example, instead of PartTimeWebmaster.com, you may want ptw.com.
So, once you have your domain names what do you do? There are a couple of options as follows:
You can forward your domain name to your Web site. So, when people type in the domain name, they are automatically forwarded (sent) to your site.
You can also mask your forwarded domain name. For example, if you buy the domain name ptw.com, I can have it forward to parttimewebmaster.com, but when it is forwarded, it will still show ptw.com in the browser address. We recommend forwarding as it places more focus on your primary domain and should help with your search engine marketing efforts. It’s not good to have multiple domain names with the same information.
So, in summary, it’s ok to have multiple domain names, and it’s not that expensive.
There are millions of websites on the internet now, so someone is looking to update their site. So, how do you update your website? And, more importantly, who updates your website?
As a programmer by trade, I’ve seen many different techniques to update your website. Personally, I’d rather do it for you. But, times can be tight, so, we typically train some clients on how to update their website. So, if you’re looking to update your website’s code, ask your development company on tips. Before you ask, determine what you’d like to update.
Here are some example changes and the typical difficulty level:
EASY: With a little of HTML coding, these change are easy.
Update the title, or meta information for your page to help your SEO efforts. This is typically pretty easy if it has to be done through code. If it’s not done through code, your content management system, or ecommerce system may offer a page allowing you to update the tags.
Update the text on a page. Again, this should be pretty easy. Go for it. Also, don’t forget to check your website software you may use.
Update a graphic. If you have graphics, this should be pretty easy to do.
Change a link
HARD: Anything involving a coding change. Stay away from these items. You can potentially break your site.
Changing Javascript code
Changing how a page is designed. This can be difficult because it could be a trap. Depending on how your site was built, one change could effect the entire site, or, you may have to update all of the pages on your site.
Changing any code. Stay away.
So, if you want to try it. Go for it.
Here’s what you need to before anything can change:
FTP software. Try FileZilla. It’s free and easy to use
Obtain your ftp address, username, and password. Without this information, you can’t do anything.
Make a backup of your site! Copy, don’t move
If you’re changing a file on the site, sometimes it’s easier to rename the existing page then upload your new page. For example, if you update index.html, change site’s file name to index.html.bak, then upload your new file. If it break, rename the files so your site works again.
Google what you need to do. Find examples.
As a tip, here’s how the conversation will start. “Are you sure?” If they don’t say it, they’re thinking it. So, bear this in mind because a lot of things we do are taken for granted. You can do this.
How do you choose your hosting company? Well, before we go that far, let’s look at the big question putting hosting aside, “What do you want to do?” Here, we want to install WordPress so we can be famous and make money on the site. So, let’s place the focus there.
At it’s most basic level, WordPress is software, so we will need to install it at some point. Here is where it can get tricky. Installing software for a website is not as easy as installing software on your home computer. That brings us to Step 1.
Step 1: Choose a hosting company that can install WordPress for you!
Why is this important? Well, whether you’re a techie or not, installations can be tricky. Why? Well, you have to handle things like setting up an ftp account, getting ftp software, if you don’t have it already, downloading WordPress, uploading WordPress, and making directory permission changes on the server (if you the hosting company will let you). Yikes. Think about it, have you ever spent an hour or so installing software just so you could complete a 5 minute task? This may easily become one of those scenarios. Well, the good thing is, some hosting companies offer WordPress installations for free. And, a lot of these installations can be done with a couple of clicks. So, in my opinion, choose a hosting company that will make your installation easy. This will save you a tremdendous amount of time and frustration. Spend your time blogging instead. This brings us to Step number 2.
Step 2: How much hosting do you need?
Chances are you are creating one of your first blogs. If this is the case, you don’t need a high powered expensive hosting solution. Sure, we all have big dreams. But, in the beginning, we need to start off small. If your blog grows in size, hosting companies are more than happy to give you more high powered hosting any time you want it. There are a couple of inexpensive and easy solutions for beginners. Here are a couple of questions that may help you make your final decision.
A: Is your budget $0? If so, try creating a free WordPress blog at wordpress.com.
B: Do you want your own domain name, but don’t want to worry about hosting? You can do this. Depending on where you bought your domain name, you may recieve free hosting. Look for this option. Also, don’t forget, nothing is free, expect to see some advertising on your site.
C: Do you want your own site? Without advertising banners? You can do this for less than $50 a year. You can buy a domain name for about $10 and pay monthly hosting ranging from $2-$5 a month!
Step 3: Choose a well known company.
Find a well known company that sells both hosting and domain names and research it through Google. A good Google keyword would be “Installing WordPress on [xyz].” Take at least 10 minutes to research the company, then make your decision. Personally, I would go with Wordpress.org, GoDaddy, or 1and1.com.
In summary, you can have a WordPress blog setup within an hour and spend less than $50 a year. There aren’t any excuses to keep you away. Go for it!
