Multiple Domain and Website Hosting
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What many don't realise is that generally you don't purchase a website, you purchase a hosting account.
In some cases this can only be used to host a single domain and hence a single website. In others the account can be used to host multiple domains and hence multiple websites.
Benefits of Hosting Multiple Domains on a Single Host
Because domains are much cheaper than web site hosting accounts, choosing an account that offers multiple domain hosting is a far cheaper way of hosting multiple web sites than purchasing a hosting account for each website.
As an example the hosting provider 1and1 provider (link below) offer a simple hosting package for approx £70 per year and UK domains for approx £2.00 per year. If I have four websites then to host using:
a) separate accounts cost= £70 *4 + 4*2= £288 per year
b) A single account and multiple domains cost = £70 + £2.0 *4=£78 per year.
The saving is £210 per year.
The Hosting account also has a single password and hence once logged in you can administer each domain.
Hosting Providers that Support Multiple Domains
Because of the popularity of mini websites and website reselling there are many hosting companies that specialize in providing multiple domain hosting and offer substantial discounts depending on the number of domains you intend to host.
Hosting Multiple domains on a single account has the potential to significantly reduce your hosting costs, but as is the case for choosing any hosting provider you should be aware of what other website services you require, and choose your hosting provider accordingly.
Don't just go for the cheapest or the one that provides the most services!
I use the following hosts and host multiple websites on each:
- UK- 1&1
- USA- Blue Host Web Hosting - $6.95/mo!
- USA based Professional website hosting . Incredible feature rich package including WordPress.
Who Needs This Type of Hosting?
Anyone who requires multiple websites with their own distinct domain name should consider this type of hosting account.
If you only intend to host a single domain/website then you shouldn't discard the idea as they are no more expensive than single domain hosting solutions.
Sub domains as an Alternative
Rather than get another domain name it is possible instead to use a subdomain of the the existing domain name, in which case you don't even need to purchase a separate domain name.
However this will only work if the websites are related. Take a look a subdomains to see how they work and when they are used.
Implementing Multiple Domain Hosting
How multiple domain hosting works takes you through the common techniques used to host multiple sites on a single host.
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