Setting up structure for multiple domains pointing at the one website

Hi,

I was wondering if anyone could help me

I have a website, with about 10 different domain names that all relate to it

So, let's say it's a painting website, I have different pages on the site for each key area (i.e Paint brushes, paint, preparations, etc)

I also have 10 domain names, each one specific (i.e. paintbrushes.com) (this is an example)

I was wondering the best site structure and domain name structure

i.e. Add On (to the main name)

Parked and create a new directory for each area

create sub domain

How it has been, (all parked and pointing to the root directory) has worked ok.

So, I don't know if doing something different, i.e. sub directories, will mess with the content)

Any help would be appreciated

Basically 10 domains, with 10 related pages inside the site

What's the best way to set it up??


Thanks

 

I'm not sure I follow, are you saying you have 10 domains pointing to the same site?
that's duplicate content and is not good.
Are you saying you want to run 10 domains off of 1 hosting account?
Each domain should have it's own site. You can use your .htaccess to set up virtual domains or your webserver to do this. Of course you will have the same IP for each site.

 

well, basically I have 10 domains, all parked and pointing to the one site.

We got the domains because they were related.

The site (even before we got the 10 domains) had let's say, 10 pages of content (it's more, but for ease of figures).

Now, if we were to break it down, each of domains could relate to an individual page or section of the site.

SO let's say I have the following pages of content

Alpha Paint Brushes
Beta Paint Brushes
Charlie Paint Brushes
Paint Thinner Mix
Rough Canvass
Smooth Canvass

I also have the domains for each of these

i.e. AlphaPaintBrushes.com
BetaPaintBrushes.com
CharliePaintBrushes.com

...and so on


Now, so far, all the content has been under

paintingxyz.com

i.e. paintingxyz.com/alphapaintbrushes.htm
paintingxyz.com/betapaintbrushes.htm

etc


With all the domain names parked and pointing at paintingxyz.com


I guess, my question would be...
what is the best structure?

Should I break it down into 10 individual sites (all with a tenth of the content it currently has)

I've read it's best to have 1 site with more content (blackhole site??)

Or what else?

I appreciate your answer, it got me to look further, and I didn't even realise there was the possibility of duplicate content, since there is only 1 page for each area (although, I guess if there are multiple domains pointing to it)

I also read something about 301 redirects (I'm guessing that relates to what you said about htaccess)... I'm kind of new to all this, so I appreciate your help.

In your opinion, will a 301 increase the seo of a site, or is it more if people are directly typing in the domain name

I hope I've explained things a bit clearer this time


Thanks

 

I would take a good look at your stats and analytics.
If most of the traffic coming through the additional domains is clearly type-in traffic, then 301'ing them to the main site is likely the best.

301 redirects of the domains is essential, and will likely give some SEO boost as right now the lack of 301's is almost certainly hurting you. Expect to wait a few weeks for the benefits to show, however.

Building additional microsite specialising in each subject is a good way to go, but is labor intensive because in order for each of those sites to provide maximum value to your main site, they will need quality content and some link building themselves. Could get unmanageable.

As you have multiple additional domains, yu have an ideal testing environment. Pick a couple of higher traffic domains and create microsites for them - do not split off content from your existing site, but create new content.
Monitor the performance of these domains at generating incoming traffic against the data you already have, and see if this works to your advantage. Testing is always best.

 

yeah its a labour intensive strategy. It is best to 301 them and create content on your main domain. Unless you have a lot of time on your hands that is. Also, it splits your link building accross all the domains when you could just be link building to your main domain.

creating content on these sites will only really benefit the other site if that content is linked to and then the strength is passed on. Split link strength is the main problem

 

sorry, so i'd go for a merge and a 301 OR you could make subdomains as then there is link strength benefit as subdomains help the main domain - although not to the same extent

 

Thanks, great feedback

As for 301's, do they actually give added beenfit, or just remove the potential penalty. (Do you know where I can learn about them indepth... or well enough to set them up?) I've found some articles, but they're from several years ago... don't know if they get outdated.



Also, what would you say is the benefit of setting up a sub domain?

Or do you know of any articles, etc, where I can get a quick edumacation on their seo value, etc.