[Randagal]

I want to change my website completely. I bought a template website from a company in the UK called Mr. Site and made up my website but have had constant problems with it. Can I still use the same domain name on a totally new website that I design with Dreamweaver? Also, can I transfer my domain name with the new website to a different hosting server? The main problem I had was the website was never indexed properly in google so it never could be found on the search engines. I appreciate any advise on this. thanks.

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This is pretty good info you might want to read through:
Domain Name Basics: An Introduction

Basically, if you own the domain name and move to a new hosting service, they will help you on the domain transfer to their server. If you still use the old hosting service, but plan to deactivate it some time in the future, then you need to set up a 301 redirect on the old hosting service to your new hosting service.

Being indexed in Google depends on a lot of factors. Mostly if you have submitted to the search engines after completing your site, adding new content and meeting Google's requirements for their 'Bots. You need to set up things like a robots.txt, sitemap, etc.. Use Google's Webmaster Tools for all this.

Your pages should be coded semantically to improve your ranking. Especially with Google.

Ron

Edited by Major Payne, 18 January 2008 - 11:14 PM.

[Major Payne]

This is pretty good info you might want to read through:
Domain Name Basics: An Introduction

Basically, if you own the domain name and move to a new hosting service, they will help you on the domain transfer to their server. If you still use the old hosting service, but plan to deactivate it some time in the future, then you need to set up a 301 redirect on the old hosting service to your new hosting service.

Being indexed in Google depends on a lot of factors. Mostly if you have submitted to the search engines after completing your site, adding new content and meeting Google's requirements for their 'Bots. You need to set up things like a robots.txt, sitemap, etc.. Use Google's Webmaster Tools for all this.

Your pages should be coded semantically to improve your ranking. Especially with Google.

Ron

Edited by Major Payne, 18 January 2008 - 11:14 PM.

[Storman]

Adding on from Major Payne's comments, remember that some people build a website and think it will appear in Google within a few days. It does'nt happen like that unfortunately, there are so many factors that determining ranking and it can take absolutely months and months to get there.

There is an old phrase that "Content is King". It's been around quite a while in website site design but essentially it still holds true. Ensure your site has lots of quality content relating to your subject matter and it will help. But DON'T repeat the same thing over and over - it doesn't work like that and will have an adverse effect. Also, if possible, try and get your links to your site (incoming links) on other quality sites. This is'nt always easy but be imaginative and it works a treat