Double domains

[carolo]

I am just learning about SEO and have a question about our website. We have two domain names for the same site. Our support people for the website we use say it is fine, but others say we can't have two domain names pointing to the same site or we will get penalized for duplicate content. I am confused. What is the real deal with this situation?

http://www.pei-propertyforsale.com
http://www.moraisandyoston.com

Thanks to anyone who can help

[Oppenheimer Group]

The secondary domain should be pointed to the primary domain name using a 301 redirect which will tell the search engines the the secondary domains website has been permanantly moved to the primary domain name. This will require the secondary domain name to be hosted in a separate account.

[judyo]

I've read about the 301 permanent redirects but this is the first time I've heard anything mentioned about the secondary domain having to be hosted in a separate account. What does that mean?

For example, I'm with the same host as carolo. The host started offering domain names for sale and explained how we needed different domain names for several different reasons (marketing, short names vs. a more descriptive site name, etc.). So I purchased many different domain names.

Unfortunately, after doing some research I found out about 301 redirects, as had some other members. Our multiple domain names were not being set up with the 301 permanent redirects & it took much arguing among several of us with our host to get this done properly. I still question whether it's done right & I'm not sure how to figure it out (I've checked those url redirect checking sites but I don't know how to read them).

So how do we know if these are hosted in a separate account & why, after the research I have done, has this not been mentioned by anyone else?

[ResaleBroker]

I still question whether it's done right & I'm not sure how to figure it out (I've checked those url redirect checking sites but I don't know how to read them).

Essentially, these services peform a Server Header Check and then display the Server Response Codes. If you PM the URL's I'll check them for you.

So how do we know if these are hosted in a separate account & why, after the research I have done, has this not been mentioned by anyone else?

The use of 301 redirects doesn't mandate a seperate account. Quite possibly OP is referring to a given shared hosting limitation.

[Oppenheimer Group]

Jeffrey:

Can the 301 redirect be placed, and function correctly with the search engines, in the .htaccess file of the primary domains account - in your experience?

[ResaleBroker]

OP,
I believe we might be talking apples and oranges here. I think carolo and judyo are referring to 301 redirects in general. Your post appears to refer to 301 redirects for a domain alias.

[judyo]

Jeffrey,

Thanks for those links. It appears all of my secondary domains are properly redirected.

[ResaleBroker]

It appears all of my secondary domains are properly redirected.

Life is good.