LayerSpace user guide


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Chapter 17 - Domain names & hosting

A domain name is the name which people type into a web browser in order to view your site (eg 'yourname.com'). LayerSpace does not sell domain names but there are numerous companies on the web which do. We recommend Daily (daily.co.uk) as they are reasonably priced, provide good functionality and changes go through quickly, but any company will do.

HOW TO LINK YOUR DOMAIN NAME TO YOUR WEBSITE
Assuming you have already purchased your domain name, there are two methods of using your domain name: web forwarding and domain hosting.

1. Web forwarding
This is the quick and easy method. The basic method is to log in to your domain name registrar's control panel (ie the company from which you bought your domain name) and find the setting for web forwarding. This can vary from company to company. There should be a form to fill in asking for the website address (or URL) to which you want visitors to your domain name to be forwarded.

URL (Uniform Resource Locator) is just another way of saying the web address where your website can be viewed.

To find the URL of your website click the URL tab when editing the content of the website.
The first box you see gives you the LayerSpace URL which is something like:
http:www.layerspace.com/gallery.php?s=xxxxxxx
where xxxxxxx is a number.

Copy this URL and paste it into the web forwarding box on the domain name registrar's website and save.

Other web forwarding options

Many companies offer several options when setting up web forwarding. The most common are using masked forwarding (also called cloaking). When used this leaves your domain name in the browser's address bar rather than changing to the LayerSpace URL.

You may also be able to enter a page title, description and keywords which help with getting your website listed by search engines.

Web forwarding works well but it has become less popular in recent years because search engines tend not to like it. If you feel it is important to be listed by seach engines it is recommended that you set up domain hosting.

2. Domain hosting
This means that your website will be indistinguishable from one hosted using a custom hosting solution as the domain name is fully associated with your website.

Testimonials

"Just wanted to say that I love my new website. It was so easy to set up and design in such a way that it is as close as possible to my old custom designed site and it's incredibly easy to update with new work. The price is great too and I can't say enough good things. I think you have a terrific product here!"
Claire Newman-Williams

"Many thanks once again for all your help and speedy responses. Google search is now working, comes up third result down, well pleased. "
Matthew Courtney

"I wanted to say how impressed I am with Layerspace. I'm thrilled with my new website and everyone has been very complementary about it. "
Keir Aubrey

"This is great. I'm really impressed. It's arguably better than my current custom-built site"
Simon Stanmore

"I've been really pleased with it all - my save to upload process is now minutes and used to be hours!"
Fi Morse