Flipping Websites

Discussion in 'General Chat' started by Ralph23, Jul 23, 2008.

  1. #1
    (If this is the wrong forum, I apologize.)

    I have a great idea for a nice wordpress blog. I have a domain name idea and it's available, and I have a hosting idea (not purchased yet).

    I just want to iron out some doubts / issues I'm having. Since this is my first time doing this, I'm somewhat a nooblet : ) .

    Alrighty-

    When I sell the site, what exactly do I give the new owner? Do I just give him the administrator account username / password to the site? If that's the case, how do I get rid / change my personal information on the hosting / domain plan? Is it possible to do that?

    That's really the main issue, and all smaller issues are branching off of that (for me). Maybe if someone could go through their process very quickly, I'd really appreciate it alot.

    Also, might as well dump this here aswell, what is the BEST site in your opinion to purchase hosting with a free domain for life via Paypal.

    Thanks in advance.
     
    Ralph23, Jul 23, 2008 IP
  2. LizzardQ

    LizzardQ Peon

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    #2
    Hi,

    I've never actually "flipped" a wordpress site before, but from what I've heard it's the same as a regular site (transferring all files over to the new owner so they can host the site themselves, transferring the domain, etc.) but you also have to worry about getting the database associated with the wordpress site switched over as well. From what I heard, this can be a hassle for a newbie, which I why I've stuck to flipping html sites instead! (But maybe someone with more experience can help out and explain more about how to do that.)

    As far as the hosting/domain question, I would recommend using two separate companies -- one for the hosting and a separate one for the domain purchase. I know it's tempting because they offer such great deals for "packages", but then you are at the mercy of that particular company should anything go wrong. (Oh, and if you want specific recommendations, it seems as if Namecheap is best for domains and Hostgator is best for hosting...)

    Hope that helps! Good luck! :)
     
    LizzardQ, Jul 23, 2008 IP
  3. CreatingRevenue

    CreatingRevenue Peon

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    #3
    Ok, lets go thru these one by one.

    Wordpress is just like a regular site accept for one small part, the database. All content on your blog will be in the database.

    My favorite tool for backing up the database and restoring it is WP-DBManager from www.lesterchan.net/portfolio/programming/php/

    You will give him all the content from the wordpress directory and then the database backup file and instruct him on how to restore it using the plugin.

    On the hosting... I use Hostgator and get unlimited websites for my single account. So giving away the account with the site is not how I would do it.

    If you have the money... you could signup for a reselller account with Hostgator and sale each site with a hosting account as a bonus. The new owner will then have to PAY YOU each month for the hosting. A big bonus for your monthly income.

    As for hosting with free domain names... not sure about that. You can get them from GoDaddy for $7.15 a year if you use the coupon code OYH3

    Visit my blog to get $9.94 off your initial payment with Hostgator. www.creatingrevenueonline.com/hot-deal-for-our-readers
     
    CreatingRevenue, Jul 23, 2008 IP
  4. Ralph23

    Ralph23 Peon

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    #4
    Hey thanks both of you, that was REALLY helpful. Basically solved all of my problems. Let me ask one more thing here however, as it somewhat pertains to this topic.

    I have had this perfect domain in mind, and since it wasn't available, I did a little editting to it and added a dash in it. This is available. So the domain is now:

    word-word.com

    Since the whole site's purpse and design is based around these two words, I really don't want to change it, but I just feel I should ask. Is it worth getting a domain with a dash in it, or am I better off thinking up a totally new name with a new design.
    (Note: the two words are each the same word, at 3 letters each).
     
    Ralph23, Jul 24, 2008 IP
  5. mikey1090

    mikey1090 Moderator Staff

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    #5
    Post here in future i'd say -
    http://forums.digitalpoint.com/forumdisplay.php?f=33

    When you sell the site, change the wordpress password. Then go into your host, download the database and files. Email the new owner the files and database backup and give him the user/pass for the blog admin panel.

    Done.
     
    mikey1090, Jul 24, 2008 IP
  6. TheVccMatey

    TheVccMatey Peon

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    #6
    Most users prefer a WordPress Export. You can download one in the manage section I think.
     
    TheVccMatey, Jul 24, 2008 IP
  7. Ralph23

    Ralph23 Peon

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    #7
    Thanks guys, but like I said, I have the "flipping" part down now. I'd just like your input on a new problem.

    I have had this perfect domain in mind, and since it wasn't available, I did a little editting to it and added a dash in it. This is available. So the domain is now:

    word-word.com

    Since the whole site's purpse and design is based around these two words, I really don't want to change it, but I just feel I should ask. Is it worth getting a domain with a dash in it, or am I better off thinking up a totally new name with a new design.
    (Note: the two words are each the same word, at 3 letters each).
     
    Ralph23, Jul 24, 2008 IP
  8. mikey1090

    mikey1090 Moderator Staff

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    #8
    Most of my domains have a hyphen in them. Its no problem really for small sites :)
     
    mikey1090, Jul 24, 2008 IP
  9. Ralph23

    Ralph23 Peon

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    #9
    Ah, thanks Mikey.

    One more question (lol, it never ends).

    I've never purchased a domain before or added it to my hosting myself, so:

    When I buy the domain, do I purchase it for one year? That way, when I give it to the buyer, he has to renew it himself? Or will I be billed if its renewed and I've failed to remove my information or something?

    Also, is adding a domain and removing it from a host easy? (I've always imagined it as adding the domain name and maybe an account number into some text fields)
     
    Ralph23, Jul 24, 2008 IP
  10. mikey1090

    mikey1090 Moderator Staff

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    #10
    When you buy your domain just buy it for a year. If you plan on selling it, don't choose to auto-renew it.

    As for adding it to a hosting account it depends on the host. Most ask for a domain name when signing up for a shared hosting account.
     
    mikey1090, Jul 24, 2008 IP
  11. Ralph23

    Ralph23 Peon

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    #11
    Alrighty, sounds good. Thanks mikey.
     
    Ralph23, Jul 24, 2008 IP
  12. steelydan

    steelydan Member

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    #12
    wow, what great information. Thanks.
     
    steelydan, Jul 24, 2008 IP
  13. CreatingRevenue

    CreatingRevenue Peon

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    #13
    I have a few dash domain names... its not a real issue.

    I own cobra-replicas.com, geocache-gear.com, harley-davidson-auction.com and transformer-auctions.com

    I wouldn't suggest using a dash on anything more than 2 words and never use more than one dash like I have in the harley-davidson-auction.com domain name. Its just bad voodoo... I did it because well... its just a bans site and doesn't matter.
     
    CreatingRevenue, Jul 24, 2008 IP