Why won't new blog name signin NOT accept or allow a dash?
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I have a wordpress account and two blogs. The second blog is a domain name I have registered called “artby desmond.com.” I am trying to use a another domain/URL which I have already registered also called “timsfiction-art.com.” The problemis that the wordpress system for adding this blog does not allow the “dash” in the name, “timsfiction-art.com” … Is there a way of getting around this? I added the second domain/URL “artbtdesmond” without a problem. I don’t see this as huge, but I am not getting any reply from the “community” either. I submitted here couple days ago. Can you help? SIncerely Tim Desmond, WordPress account user: (email visible only to moderators and staff)
The blog I need help with is: (visible only to logged in users)
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You did get a reply in your earlier forum post from auxclass https://en.forums.wordpress.com/topic/can-i-create-two-new-wordpress-sites?replies=2#post-1455600
If you need to locate your earlier forum posts, click on your username at the top right of any forum page where it says “Welcome, yourusername”
Regardless, this isn’t the question you asked earlier and I am not certain if dashes are allowed in domain names here, mapped or otherwise or if a workaround is needed or available. (auxclass is the knowledgeable one regarding domains.)
I’ll tag this for Staff input, so please subscribe to this discussion from the Subscribe link in the sidebar (if you haven’t already) and as Staff are currently at a get-together, replies may be a little delayed. Thanks in advance for your patience while waiting.
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WordPress.COM will not allow registering “timsfiction-art.wordpress.com” – they will not allow the dash – but if the domain name is available you can have “timsfictionart.jwordpress.com” for a blog name them map “timsfiction-art.com” to the blog –
You do not need to have the base blog name match the mapped domain name – I think having both match is a bit more class – but not required
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Hello Tim,
As mentioned WordPress.com site names only accept lowercase letters(a-z) and numbers (0-9). Dashes, underscore, and special characters are not allowed in domain names.
If you have any other questions please let us know.
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bdukes, Thank you. Yes, I found out about the “-” not allowed in domain name here. Having another book release soon, and trying to figure best way to have a new website for that, either as my author name or the book title as the site/domain name. Any thoughts?
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Hello Tim,
Congrats on the new book! Having never written a book I’m not sure how much help I can provide on the best way to market it. However, I’ll go over some initial thoughts on how I would handle it and what I’ve seen other users do. Ultimately it is up to you and personal preference.
In my opinion, using your real for your URL provides a lot more flexibility if you were to go on and write other books. It also allows you to write about things that are not book related on your site.
Using your book name might allow the book to get more exposure to just the book. However, depending on the subject it might be hard to continue to blog about the book and some information about you may feel out of place. This isn’t to say that having a book related site is a bad idea. It’s a great way to promote your book.
In all honesty, I would encourage you to do both. Have a personal site with your name as “about the author” where you write about upcoming books, your life, whatever. Yet also having a site just for your book specific details, book tour, etc.
Just my two cents :)
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Your two cents means a lot. Do you think the existing blog name “timdesmondblog” is all right as author, or should I add new site as “timothydesmond” [if available]?
The “thedoc” is one book title. Too, it seems these will all be under the unbrella of the one wordpress account of mine. Should I have more than one account? Is that possible at wordpress? -
http://timothydesmond.wordpress.com doesn’t exist as yet. And the username account does not exist as yet either https://en.forums.wordpress.com/profile/timothydesmond
As you are an author a blog URL containing your name as it appears on books you publish is far a better URL from an SEO and branding perspective than one that does not contain your name.
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Yes, thank you for your input. I appreciate the comments regarding the SEO and brand considerations. Very, very nice.
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Hello @timdesmondblog,
Again these are just my personal thoughts and ultimately the decision is up to you, but since you asked :).
When I read the name “blog” in a URL I think of just that, a blog. This may be great if you plan to blog regularly about your book/writing. This may not be so great if you plan on using the site for promotion only and update it irregularly.
I do agree with TimeTheif that using your author name as a sitename/url is a good idea. One option I wanted to mention is buying our Domain Upgrade which will allow you to use a custom domain like timothydesmond.com with your WordPress.com account (either timdesmondblog or timothydesmond).
You are welcome to have as many WordPress.com sites under the same username. This is the encouraged way as it makes account recovery easier. You could also use a username for each site, with each site having a unique email address if you wished.
Let me know if you need anything else.
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