Forwarding a Domain Name

[willbon]

I'm at an impasse and I hope someone out there has an answer?

As a Nominet TAG holder, I manage my domains with them directly... but I need to forward my portfolio of names to a single domain name where there will be a sales website to 'catch all' uniques... and enquiries.

My Host - Heart... will give me a domain reference but not allow a FWD - I can only 'host' the domain name first, then forward from there... Although when I held domain names with them, I could forward the domains without actual 'hosting'..

My question is in 2 parts...

Do any hosting co's offer a 'domain reference' or similar that will enable forwarding (bulk DNS forwarding) - and who are they?

and.. (preferably) is there any cleverness I can apply to the domain name records at Nominet to enable it to direct to a specific URL?

Any ideas?... Thanks!

 

[scottmccloud]

Do you need to direct them all to a single domain? Have you thought about using @RobM 's DomainOffer.co.uk? I use it, has a sales lander on every domain and a control panel that gives you detailed statistics on traffic. Really easy to set up.

 

[willbon]

Might well be the solution, Scott, cheers... although I was hoping for FREE!

I guess £2.75 a month isn't harsh!

Any other ideas anyone?

 

[dee]

I know a coupe of the regulars have mentioned a free DNS service that a few people use. You could point them all there ? Cant remember whats its called though which isnt helpful. Theres also a meta refresh, but involves setting up at least an index page for every domain. If you used PHP url parameters you could personalise the landing page and capture where they have come from on the landing page etc.

 

[willbon]

Good info - Thanks Dee

I've had a perusal and there are some decent services out there... can anyone recommend a good, free DNS service... some look far more complicated than my needs demand...

Thanks!

 

[lazarus]

Hi, On you main domain Cpanel account, you could add you other domains in as Domain Alias's. These domain will then point to your main domain where you can have your software sitting to display your for sale pages.

I use Domain Broker 2
https://themeforest.net/item/domain-broker-2-landing-page-to-sell-domains/12578919

Its only $20 one off fee - works beautifully.
Here is a couple of example pages for my domain for sale pages.
https://www.genepool.co.uk
https://www.aromashop.co.uk

Take a bit of time to setup but once it is its good to go.


Regards
Laz

 

[Skinner]

If you use a hosting account that came with a dedicated IP, you could ask the host if they will setup wildcard dns. That way you can just enter your nameservers and it would also resolve.

 

[willbon]

Thanks for the responses guys...

Laz - I started using domain alias' with my previous host but that option disappeared... and is not an option at Heart... but good call!... I think domain broker will give me the same issues of needing to set up each domain name in the web hosting... so although a solution.. still leaves me with an overcomplicated system of hosting and 'pointing'

Skinner - Unfortunately no dedicated IP... For this and other reasons I yearn for my own IP, but package options / host reliability on other platforms etc limits me on this... but another good call!

Thanks y'all... your responses are greatly appreciated!

I'm going to trial Rob's 'domain offer' and see how I get on...

Any other suggestions welcomed!

 

[Skinner]

I can't emphasis strongly enough without being able to reach through the computer screen and slapping you. How much better off you would be getting away from heart and HEG.

You could get a reseller with Jolt using discount code ACORN (20% forever) with a dedicated IP, free SSL for less than £8 a month. with 25 or 50 accounts (can't remember which) and unlimited domain parking. I'm sure @mdrussell would be able to discuss the wildcard dns too.

As an alternative, if Robs doesn't suit you that is.

 

[willbon]

I hear you... after shenanigans last year I decided to trial a Vidahost account.. which is now HEG too!.

Krystal next on my list... although I'll look at Jolt again.. sounds cheap.. but with a dedicated IP I should hopefully avoid blacklisting... I'll do some research... thanks!

 

[Skinner]

I were previously with Evohosting now Jolt, evo is now owned by Daily.

Both of these had 1 invaluable factor, a heavy hitter who could make things happen.

In this instance it's MDRussel, when things go wrong or you want something unusual you reach out to him, explain why, and he can say ok. Where as ticket monkeys don't have the power, and say no. Like i wanted some ports opening on the firewall, ticket monkeys weren't happy doing it. A quick touch in with MD and it were all sorted.

This reach out capability is worth its weight in gold.

A dedicated IP also means you can register for access to the nom dac and EPP without worrying about others on the server accessing it too.

 

[willbon]

So true... It's all becoming clear now!... Thanks Skinner - some good info and advice there...