Web Addresses and URL Forwarding

[Impspeed]

This question has probably been asked numerous times but can't find information anywhere...

I am looking at a new URL and it turns out .com, .co.uk and a couple of other variations are available and having them all forwarded to one main account.

My question is, is it possible for me to buy the URL only without the space and hosting? I will be buying the main URL from One.com who offer 3GB of hosting, which is plenty for my needs.

Any help and advice would be appreciated.


DB

 

[Scarecrow]

Yes you can. I recently bought a couple of domain names without buying a hosting package, as I already have a website under a different domain name.

All I have done with my new domain names is point them at a page within my existing website.

My wife has a couple of domain names that she isn't currently using, but wants to hang on to. Obviously she has no hosting package anywhere as she doesn't need one.

 

[Impspeed]

Okay, next question then is do you have to buy the domain name each year or when you renew are you simply renewing the hosting?

Basically, if I buy a domain name now, without hosting, do I own it forever without having to pay for it each year?

Finally, where is the cheapest place to simply buy domains?


Dave

 

[Marcos James]

It is reported that search engines don't look highly on having numerous domains pointed at the same page.

 

[Impspeed]

Marcos,

Cheers for the info. It is going to be, initially, the .co.uk domain pointing at the .com page. I may (undecided) have another name pointing at a page contained within the original .com site.

DB

 

[Marcos James]

Yes you will have to renew the fee for the domain name over a twelve month or two year period dependant on where you buy it from.

Mine is purchased through oneandone along with my webspace, but also got another 3 or 4 domains too which currently aren't used.

 

[Craikeybaby]

A 301 permanent redirect shouldn't harm SEO, as long as you keep one as your main site, i.e. everything directs to .co.uk version, rather than showing .com/.whatever.

I prefer to keep my hosting separate to my domain names, I use domain monster, as if you decide to use a different host you won't be stung for moving your domain.

 

[sitemaster]

if you are going with a free name then check out the terms and conditions carefully - you may get hit for charges if you decide to move your hosting

 

[tfboy]

As for the duration, normally, nominet .co.uk domains have a two-year period. Dot com ones are renewed anually.