Thread: putting multiple domains on same hosted account.. pros n cons?

hello
have a few small sites, each hosted individually...
works ok, easy to see stats, and search engine doesnt seem to have any probs finding and listing the pages/contents.

have found a hosting service, that allows multiple websites to be placed on it in their own folders.... this will save money...

BUT... i wondered what are disadvantages?
Any experience on this, please?
Is it modern progression or practice?
Is it a sales trap?

............................
Apparently, I host a main-named-domain, then any other website domains I can place in a separate folder...
The result is set-up so that if you were to type my 'other' domain names into the address bar it would show as 'normal' (as if it had its own host)

BUT... if you were to type my main domain name in, then the /folder name of the 'other' domains... you would find them this way as well...
... is this bad, or a future disadvantage?

I'd like to save money!
but I would not wish to compromise my sites foundations etc.

Any experience on this, please?
Is it modern progression or practice?
Is it a sales trap?

cheers
Stephenn

Erm, it's what I've done since starting on the web. All my sites are hosted with the same company and on the same server. Each one is just in it's own folder for me to access via FTP.

I see very little (if not no) downside to doing this, if it saves you money then do it.

Some down sides....
Server goes down all your sites do as well 'all eggs in one basket'
Possibility of less link juice from sites, which is up for debate.

Pros
Easier to manage
More cost efficient

I think there is a lot to be said for spreading the risk. I no longer trust any company enough to have all my sites/domains with them.

I got charged an extra $300 last year for excessive data transfer on one site. When i queried this they could not tell me the reason for the sudden surge in data transfer. Furthermore, it was not reflected in a traffic spike.

thanks for thoughts,

cost effective = good
all eggs in one basket = risk

regarding the link (possible) down side... I wondered in this area....
.... will the likes of google 'see' and 'list' each one (site) with its own foldered contents....
.... or will it just list the first site and put the other sites as being ''/folders'' of the first site?
I suppose I am trying to see what the search engines will be listing for others to.... I would like them to list all sites as individuals, an wondered if i would 'loose' this by 'saviing' costs?

thanks for thoughts/experiences so far

It will see each site as a different site.
Problem with all sites on one ip is the risk any link juice you use, if you over use it interlinking sites it might be watered down.

thanks grim. will be seen as own site is helpful to know. Think i get the gist of the link juice idea.... I think if any of my grouped sites end up being ''too-big''... then I might think it worth an individual host package for it (not sure the magic ''too-big'' size yet).

I wondered also if it may possibly be an added security risk (multi host)... if for some reason a hacker fancies having a go at one site... will they discover 'many folders'... therefore many sites... therfore much fun, for them?
... not too sure which bit of a site gets hacked... or effected by a DoS typre of attack... these I have just heard about, but may only be for big sites, not sure, just bouncing thinking before commiting to multi site set-up.
cheers for now

If they can attack/hack the account all folders within the account would be at risk

By now Google must be used to shared hosting companies putting lots of sites on one IP. It has been common practice for over 10 years. I doubt that interlinking sites on the same IP hurts much as long as the content is relevant and the links mean something. Too many links from one site won't help SERPs but it won't hurt them either since there's no such thing as a 'bad link'. I know too many links from one site can water down PR because Google said so, but PR is useless, anyway.

just use Own DNS for ! I always use Free DNS for 1 domain to connect 5 different servers! :twisted:

Originally Posted by rohit10

just use Own DNS for ! I always use Free DNS for 1 domain to connect 5 different servers! :twisted:

I use (mydomainname).com on paid sizeable hosting plan
I use (mydomainname).net and all other endings I buy... as Forwarding to the .com site

Q: is this what you mean?
Q: I'm not sure how you would/could use free DNS for 1 domain to connect 5 different servers?

cheers

Originally Posted by stephenn

Q: I'm not sure how you would/could use free DNS for 1 domain to connect 5 different servers?

You probably can't.

Remember that you won't be able to install multiple ssl certificates on the same IP. If any of your sites are e-commerce/processing payments they will each have to have their own ssl cert/IP.

Originally Posted by pingpipe

Remember that you won't be able to install multiple ssl certificates on the same IP. If any of your sites are e-commerce/processing payments they will each have to have their own ssl cert/IP.

Why?
SSL is tied to the domain, not IP

Originally Posted by grim

Why?
SSL is tied to the domain, not IP

I've used dedicated IPs for SSL sites for the longest time. I found these two threads. The first one explains that a dedicated IP is required. The second one says there is a way to use SSL on a shared IP vhost using 'Server Name Indication'.

Does SSL need dedicated IP - Web Hosting Talk
SNI...? (re: SSL without Dedicated IP) - bluehostforum.com

Yes dedicated IP, I do as well, but you can have a cert installed on a different 'dedicated' IP if it's the same domain w/o any changes needing to be done

Originally Posted by grim

Why?
SSL is tied to the domain, not IP

The best explanation I've seen is in the Directadmin knowledgebase:
DirectAdmin Knowledge Base