Multiple,  Through, 

Multiple Identities Through Multiple Registrations




Many webmasters are only satisfied with a single domain for a little while. It is common for a webmaster to begin looking at new web site projects just after their first site is established. The idea of having separate sites for family or business becomes more appealing. Webmasters are also usually much more confident in their abilities at this point. This brings the issue of domain registrations and hosting policies to light.

The Internet does not limit the number of domain names any webmaster or company purchases. You can have as many domain registrations as you wish to undertake. This broad horizon used to be limited by hosting policies and costs. Many hosting companies today feature "unlimited domain hosting." There's no extra costs at all as long as the account holder doesn't exceed allowed overall bandwidth. Companies such as www.hostdepartment.com, www.hostmonster.com and www.hostgator.com all allow unlimited domain hosting.

Associated Content writer Ricky Lim states: "The main advantage of multiple domain hosting is it helps to consolidate all your domains under one hosting plan. It makes domain management a breeze. It also makes it easier to modify any settings since you are doing it from the same control panel." [Lim, paragraph 2]

This means you can have 10 domains going at one time without any worry of extra costs. Webmasters cite numerous reasons for their multiple domain registrations. Some are recommended, while others are not due to spam penalties. These surface when a webmaster purchases different domains for the sake of replicating a single site. This negative process is also done with blog services. Every new site will have the same design, layout and content. Every attribute is just copied and published to different URLs. This is usually seen as a negative and dishonest tactic.

Multiple domains can be used to redirect web traffic to your primary web site. This useful technique can double or triple your available traffic. Your web site will draw customary traffic and that of other domains.

Multiple domain registrations can provide a great degree of flexibility. For example, if you run a sporting goods store, you may want separate websites that bring in customers to what is ultimately the same store. Each website can be used to highlight information on a different sport while advertising your store. You can still have a successful sporting goods store online with a specific website focused on golf, fishing, bowling and so on.

If you have a brand name or trademarked name, you might consider purchasing multiple variations of your initial domain registration. This will prevent imposters from capitalizing on your intellectual property. This will also make it more difficult for dubious individuals to imply affiliation with your company when none exists. Many webmasters are shocked to see others have taken the majority of their content for their own purposes and web visitors don't know the difference.

Multiple domain names also allow you to keep several reserved for future use if you anticipate growth or expansion into other areas. You already have ownership of your desired domain name. It will be there when you decide to launch the website.

Lim, Ricky. 5 Tips when Choosing Multiple Domain Hosting. http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/163619/5_tips_when_choosing_multiple_domain.html. Accessed: 06-25-2008.