How to Build Your Own Portfolio of Authoritative Websites to Rank Your Clients, Part 2:...

Introduction

This tutorial will guide you through the process of hosting your authoritative domains effectively to support your SEO efforts. Proper hosting is crucial to avoid penalties or de-indexing by search engines. This guide will help you understand the best practices for hosting, the importance of IP address diversity, and how to choose reliable hosting providers.

Step 1: Avoid Common Mistakes in Hosting

Understand the Risks of Hosting Multiple Domains on One Server

• Hosting all your domains on a single package leads to identical IP addresses.
• Search engines may flag this as manipulation and may penalize or de-index your domains.
• Utilize separate hosting services for each domain to maintain diversity in IP addresses.

Stay Away from SEO Hosting

• SEO hosting companies often claim to provide diverse IP addresses but typically offer only sequential C-Class IPs.
• Sequential IPs can easily be identified by search engines, increasing the risk of penalties.
• Focus on reputable hosting options instead.

Step 2: Choose the Right Hosting Providers

Look for Unique IP Addresses

• Aim for IP addresses that differ at the first octet (e.g., 100.150.250.100 vs. 200.150.250.100).
• If first octet diversity isn't possible, ensure they differ at the second octet but avoid sequential differences at any level.

Use Multiple Hosting Companies

• Select different hosting providers for each domain in your portfolio.
• Many hosting companies offer various server locations that provide unique IP addresses.

Research Hosting Options

• Avoid relying on affiliate review sites for hosting recommendations.
• Visit forums like WebHostingTalk.com for genuine user feedback and recommendations.

Step 3: Set Up Your Hosting Effectively

Use Shared Hosting

• Shared hosting is sufficient for most SEO needs; avoid dedicated IPs unless necessary.
• Ensure the hosting package allows for easy installation of your preferred Content Management System (CMS) like WordPress.

Install Your CMS Correctly

• When installing WordPress or another CMS, choose the version (www vs. non-www) that has more authority based on your analysis.

Step 4: Monitor and Manage Your Domains

Keep Track of IP Addresses

• Regularly check that each domain is on a unique IP address.
• If unsure, contact your hosting provider to confirm the assigned IP address.

Space Your Domain Purchases

• Avoid buying multiple domains at once; space out your purchases to reduce the footprint.
• This helps make your portfolio appear more natural to search engines.

Conclusion

Properly hosting your authoritative domains requires careful planning and execution. By avoiding common pitfalls like using SEO hosting and hosting multiple domains on the same server, you can protect your portfolio from penalties. Focus on selecting diverse and reputable hosting providers, and manage your domains effectively. As you move forward, the next steps will involve adding content and building backlinks to maximize the potential of your authoritative websites.