Why do some websites work with www, and some don't?

Question

I have seen website that have to have www. at the front, and some that can't have www. at the front. How do I ensure that the domain I buy will work with both?

Answer 1

I was just shown last night how to set this up using the hosting server that I use. It is called a sub-domain or something like that, I forget exactly what it was called. Anyways, suppose you have a site about a bakery:
www.bakerystuff.com (fake site, ok?)

Well, you go into your hosting server and create another "subdomain" such as cookies.bakerystuff.com, then you can create pies.bakerystuff.com, cakes.bakerystuff.com
you end up with one site that the search engines count as other sites.

No "www". I am not sure how exactly it works, but my hosting server is go-daddy. Maybe they have something listed there.

Answer 2

Why do some websites work with www, and some don't?

I have seen website that have to have www. at the front, and some that can't have www. at the front. How do I ensure that the domain I buy will work with both?

Because of incorrect DNS configuration.

Answer 3

It's not the domain name that will determine if this happens. It will depend on the hosting company you use.

If you're in doubt, look at web sites your potential host carries. Pick a domain that is at their site and try entering the name both ways. If both work you're okay.

Some State managed systems are like this. If you leave off the www you are likely to get a "restricted server" message. This happens because mail servers for public entities are often outsourced to collaborative companies.

Here's an example:
Entering http://carlalbert.edu will get you their mail server.
Entering http://www.carlalbert.edu gets you their site.

Whereas with a site I run it doesn't mattter which.
http://drug-message.com
http://www.drug-message.com