What to link to?

[TwisterMc]

Hello. I'll see if I can explain this. I have a Chatfield website that is hosted at http://chatfieldmn.twistermc.com. However, I have gotten a domain name for it which is http://www.chatfieldmn.com Now when putting links out there is one better to use than the other? When you type in http://www.chatfieldmn.com it just does a URL framing and then loads http://chatfieldmn.twistermc.com. Also, if you search in the search engines you'll find all results listed under http://chatfieldmn.twistermc.com

So should I be linking stuff (like the link in my footer) to http://chatfieldmn.twistermc.com or http://www.chatfieldmn.com Or doesn't it make a difference?

Thanks :)

[Help Desk]

If you just have the page do a 301 redirect to http://chatfieldmn.twistermc.com then you should be able to link everything to http://www.chatfieldmn.com with no problem.

I'm not a 301 redirect expert, but this should work for you.

[T0PS3O]

If G's bots can handle (and don't penalize etc.) URL framing then it should be fine but I would give them the easiest route to the content to avoid indexing problems.

I would go with the URL that has the most inbound links already, else you will only be diluting PR and anchor text value.

[Foxy]

If you wish to use frames - and contrary to everybody who says these are a nono I have a number that work well - you must use the no frames correctly because that is what the bot reads.

<noframes>
<h2>Your browser does not support frames. We recommend upgrading your browser.</h2><br><br>
<center>Click <a href="http://chatfieldmn.twistermc.com/">here</a> to enter the site.</center>
</noframes>

Now are we looking for the Keyword phrase "Your browser does not support frames. We recommend upgrading your browser."?
Or, are we using the anchor text "here" as our keyword phrase?

Mmmmm? Not a keyword phrase I would use a lot!
But it is amazing how many times this is done.

This noframes should be something like <H1> Chatfield - The <a href="http://chatfieldmn.twistermc.com/">Chatfield</a> experience is here. </H1>

In this you are placing a "heavy" anchor link to your main unframed page.

[TwisterMc]

What's a 301? And maybe I should link to the other. I'm so confused.

[T0PS3O]

Read those threads here: http://forums.digitalpoint.com/showthread.php?t=1140&highlight=domain

http://forums.digitalpoint.com/showthread.php?t=13&highlight=multiple+domain

[schlottke]

Linking to either wont matter. Frames isn't a No No when you aren't doing it to be tricky- you won't get blocked for simply running frames. I suggest a 301, but it really doesnt matter.

[TwisterMc]

Ok maybe i should just change it to a redirect. No URL framing. Would that be better?

[TwisterMc]

Read those threads here: http://forums.digitalpoint.com/showthread.php?t=1140&highlight=domain

http://forums.digitalpoint.com/showthread.php?t=13&highlight=multiple+domain

Thanks for those but they are way over my head. I guess there is no easy answer.

[TwisterMc]

Since i'm having no luck moving up the Chatfield word in google when links to http://www.chatfeldmn.com I'm now gonna try linking it to http://chatfieldmn.twistermc.com just on this forum. Is that a good test? Or will one forum sig not help any and should i change more?

[T0PS3O]

It has been theorized that Google might not use sig links in its calculations so I'd try it from more than one angle.

[compar]

Why don't you talk to whoever hosts your domains and ask them to set up the 301 redirect for you. That is really the proper way to go and then you won't lose any PR or link value.

[TwisterMc]

Well it's not my host, it's my domain name people. And that's a good idea. :)

[compar]

Well it's not my host, it's my domain name people. And that's a good idea. :)
I don't understand. Somebody has to host it. Do you mean the company that you registered it with also is hosting the domains? Most of the registars do offer hosting, but it can't show up on the Internet unless it is being hosted somewhere.

The problem with the 301 redirect is that you have to have server access to do it and it is different depending on whether or not the server is using Apache or IIS. So ask the people who are hosting the domains to do it for you.

[TwisterMc]

Ok one company hosts my site. It's address is some IP. I have another company who i got the domains though. I just put in that IP to make the domain, twistermc.com, work. In this case, I put in the actual web address, http://chatfieldmn.twistermc.com, as a URL framing option. They did the rest so I don't know how it's done.

Did that all make sense? :)

[compar]

Ok one company hosts my site. It's address is some IP. I have another company who i got the domains though. I just put in that IP to make the domain, twistermc.com, work. In this case, I put in the actual web address, http://chatfieldmn.twistermc.com, as a URL framing option. They did the rest so I don't know how it's done.

Did that all make sense? :)
It doesn't make sense to me because I don't know what you mean by "URL framing option". But others seemed to understand it. Does it really have to do with using frames in your html code?

Why don't you contact your hosting company and talk to them about the problem?

[TwisterMc]

Your right compar. The URL Framing Option is just a checkbox in my domain companies admin area. I check it and type in http://chatfieldmn.twistermc.com/ and it does the rest. I didn't physically create or modity it. I'll contact them though. :)

[WilliamC]

One problem you will run into if you do NOT use a proper 301 redirect is googles duplicate content filter. This may already be affecting your one domain so that it doesnt move in the serps, and it may be zero'd out altogether in time. I would highly suggest a 301 redirect.

[TwisterMc]

Ok.. new issue.. kind of. If i do a 302 redirect (that's what they offer me) Do i still link to www.chatfieldmn.com or the redirect site chatfieldmn.twistermc.com ??

I thought i had this issue all figured out the other day and it comes back to byte me in the but. :rolleyes:

[TwisterMc]

He he. The fun of the internet. All issues are worked out at the moment and it all is exactly like i wanted on my Chatfield (http://www.chatfieldmn.com) site. :)