Domain names/Forwarding

[Chell]

Using URL forwarding you would be able to point the domain onto your current moonfruit site, but this can have its downsides if the site is put into frames to do this (often the case if URL masking is used) as then the search engines cannot read any of your site content.

If you can get the .co.uk of your domain I would do so as I rarely think to use uk.com also as you become more established you may find you lose business by people not remembering your domain etc or people setting up on the.com or .co.uk Its easier to change name now than when you are established in the marketplace.

HTH.
Sadie

I've copied this over so its not pinching someone elses thread.

I need some help with this please. I have been thinking for a while of having another domain and redirecting the traffic from there to www.chelltune.co.uk

1) If I use another domain then which do I promote? My original name?

2) If I have a name with baby+signing+ maybe books or DVD would this rank higher in the SE simply because it has keywords in it or would it still need lots of SEO?

3) If we decide to do it then how is it done?

4) I don't understand the first part that I have bolded above.

[obscure]

1) If I use another domain then which do I promote? My original name?

It doesnt matter for offline promotions, but for online promotions use the domain that is better for SEO. However you will need to make this your main site domain too to get best results.



2) If I have a name with baby+signing+ maybe books or DVD would this rank higher in the SE simply because it has keywords in it or would it still need lots of SEO?

The domain does have some impact on rankings - but dont expect it to be a miracle worker, you will still need to do SEO to get the site to rank well. It will just help somewhat (different articles report on different amounts of effect caused by a keyword rich URL).



3) If we decide to do it then how is it done?

Switch your main site domain onto the one you choose to use, then do a search engine friendly redirect from your old domain to the new one (this will prevent loss of customers from out of date links etc and tell the search engines whats going on).



4) I don't understand the first part that I have bolded above.
Using URL forwarding you would be able to point the domain onto your current moonfruit site, but this can have its downsides if the site is put into frames to do this (often the case if URL masking is used) as then the search engines cannot read any of your site content.
What I was trying to say (probably badly LOL) is that there are different ways of pointing a domain onto another one. Some companies offer what is called URL forwarding where if someone types in the domain they will see your moonfruit site - BUT the moonfruit web address would appear in the address bar of the browser you are using.

Other companies offer URL masking (or the option of this instead of the forwarding) which wraps a page with a frame so that the forwarded URL appears in the address bar of your browser instead of the moonfruit address. This is a bad option as the search engines will see empty pages as the framed page would have no content and search engines generally do not like framed webpages.

Far better option is to do what I suggested above and use your new domain as the main one for your site and do a redirect from the old to new to minimise effect of transferring on your current rankings.

HTH,
Sadie

[Chell]

Sorry, I meant if I had the new name and directed it to the old one. Like if you put www.bounty.co.uk the url changes to the .com site.

So if I had www.babysigning...... but it changed to www.chelltune.co.uk Would that have an effect on SE? I wanted it for the purpose of it being easier to remember for customers.

[obscure]

Hi Chell

It wouldnt have an effect on SEO if you did it that way, you would also need to continue promoting chelltune online as otherwise you would dilute your results between the 2 domains.

I have glassraven.com and glassraven.co.uk but only use the .com online.
Sadie

[sadierhianne]

Confused as always - i have .com and .co.uk - they both lead to the same website - does this affect anything? Does it dilute my customers? I don't think that thye search for summer naturals, i am not that well known, people find me in product searches.

thanks

Anne x

[obscure]

Hi Anne

As long as you are consistent as to which you use as your link text and promotions online then it will have zero affect on your rankings.

I also have both and use the .com as my main domain, but have the .co.uk incase people arent sure which tld I use (.co.uk and .com are the 2 people will try most often if they have an idea of your domain but arent sure of the full thing).

HTH
Sadie

[sadierhianne]

i don't mention the .com - its like you said, just incase people don't know.

that's good then.

Thanks

Anne x