Question
I have two domain names....theleakycauldroncandles.com and theleakycauldronstore.com. Currently they both point to the same place.
I would like to separate some of the things I sell into two different websites (they tend attract different sorts of buyers).
I'd like to keep the candles & tarts with theleakycauldroncandles and put my Harry Potter stuff/labels with theleakycauldronstore.
I confess, I'm on a pretty tight budget and can't really afford to invest in a separate hosting package for the "Store" right now. Is there anyway to use my one hosting package, but divide it into two different websites?
Would this even be a wise thing to do?
All help and suggestions are greatly appreciated!!
Answer
Depends.
My host allows me to have as many domains registered and 'pointed' as I can afford! (I currently have 4 domains to 4 individual sites - all hosted at the same spot - that is, web host) As long as I don't exceed my bandwidth allowance or disk space (I can purchase more of either if need be), then I'm A-ok.
I pay, I believe, $24/years for each ADDITIONAL domain I register/point.
ie: Flat rate for 1st site, $24/year for each additional site - pro-rated as to when I activate same. (That way, I only get ONE bill per year, regardless of how many additions-or subtractions-of service I have.)
As to other hosts?
I can't really say.
Sorry.
Answer
Hmmm...Both domains are registered with my hosting service (Hypermart), but they both point to the one website.
I probably just need to "unpoint" the second one right?
While I'm here I'll ask a *stupid* question....what are subdomains (I think I have 4 or 5 with my service) and what are they used for?
Answer
Subdomains:
(sub´´dō-mān´) (n.) Also called a child domain, a domain that is part of a larger domain name in DNS hierarchy. DNS hierarchy consists of the root-level domain at the top, underneath which are the top-level domains, followed by second-level domains and finally subdomains. For example, in the domain name webopedia.internet .com, "webopedia" is a subdomain of the larger second-level domain "internet .com."
Subdomain Configuration
Answer
Morning ~
Have you looked into whether or not the domain theleakycauldron.com is available? I get a weird error/warning if I try to pull it up but if you found out the contact info maybe you could see if the current owner wants to give it up. That would be ideal, of course - but I know - I'm sure you tried already for that one!
Heres another discussion on sub-domains in this forum:
If I were you and wanted to streamline, I'd dump theleakycauldronCANDLES.com and just keep theleakycauldronSTORE - since they are both technically stores, you then just divide the interior pages into the candles shop and the labels/custom goods ... I used to have two domains and just found it too time consuming and expensive to keep both, myself.
Good luck though, whatever you do!
I'm sure once you implement your chosen plan it'll work out just great
~ gem ~
Answer
Notme I believe it would be wise to have 2 domains as it will give you more possibitities in the future as you learn different things such as earning income from your sites using affiliates (Amazon) ,PPC (Google Adsense) and others. These will help you offset the hosting cost. Right now you need to optimize your site(s) for highest possible SERPS.
Answer
It really depends on your Web host.
As an example, my $9.95/mo. hosting package would allow both domains, two individual websites, for the one price. They would share the resources (space & bandwidth).
Take a look at http://goodworks1.com and http://gw4music.com
These sisters have their own individual domains, each with a home page, but they share the shopping cart part of the website.
Just the one hosting account.
Perhaps this idea would work for you?
~ Sharon
Answer
First I want to say "Thanks Everyone" for all your wonderful input!
Kathleen - LOL The definition read like greek to me, but I do appreciate the link! Maybe after the Christmas rush is over I'll have time to sit down and actually READ (as opposed to scan) and comprehend everything. I swear ... I'm not really a complete idiot!!
gem - I did try to get theleakycauldron.com, but unfortunately it is taken. When I did a WHOIS search on it...the owner has a note saying the domain is for sell, but his email addy is no good and bounces back.
Right now my website is set up like you described...each category has it's own link/page. I would just really like to set up things differently for the Harry Potter stuff and make it a place even kids would like to visit (and hopefully encourage their parents to shop for them ). I know this sounds crazy, but I get a lot of input from MY kids on the Harry Potter stuff and they keep telling me what should/shouldn't be there.
They've almost talked me into starting a "line" of Harry Potter candles in scents like....Dragon's Blood, Butterbeer, Chocolate Frogs, etc. LOL
Cobaltlady - I've been working on the stuff you suggested to me, but I've had so many orders in the last two or three weeks, I haven't had a chance to finish it up and upload it. Your advice is what made me start wanting to separate the website and "specialize" more.
Sharon - I've got plenty of bandwidth and resources in my hosting package to support two sites. I've just got to figure out how to do it now. I THOUGHT both domains were registered with Hypermart, but only the "Candles" one is. I did a transfer on the "Store" domain and they automatically pointed it to the one website.
The shopping cart is one thing I'm REALLY wanting to separate on the two. To get the shipping configured right for the tarts, it ends up being too high for the other stuff. I've had a couple of people email me and ask why the shipping is higher on the website than it is at eBay. Hopefully, I'll get caught up soon and have time to work all the bugs out!
Answer
I did try to get theleakycauldron.com, but unfortunately it is taken. When I did a WHOIS search on it...the owner has a note saying the domain is for sell, but his email addy is no good and bounces back
Hmmm ... I don't know anything about selling domains, but is there any way to contact the actual registrar - see if they have a current email/phone number? Or when the registration expires?It would be cool if you could snag that one OH! and listen to your kids, I bet those HarryPotter flavor candles would do great, 'specially if no one else is doing them, you could carve out a huge niche there! *like the Bertie Botts EveryFlavor JellyBellys ewwww we get those all the time and they are so gross HAHA but we keep buying em
~ gem ~
Answer
OH! and listen to your kids, I bet those HarryPotter flavor candles would do great, 'specially if no one else is doing them, you could carve out a huge niche there! *like the Bertie Botts EveryFlavor JellyBellys ewwww we get those all the time and they are so gross HAHA but we keep buying em
We do the same thing!
THAT is the one flavor (scent) I would have a hard time 'naming'....Jelly Belly has the trademark on Bertie Botts, so I'd have to call it something else.
Edited to add:
I just researched the trademark....Jelly Belly doesn't have it on their Jelly Beans. Warner Bros holds four trademarks on the "Bertie Botts Every Flavor Beans", but none of them are for anything resembling candles or scented items.
Hmmmm....this is beginning to sound even better!