When you register a domain name, you have a number of options when it comes to using it. While the most obvious option is to map it to a website, that’s not the only option. Another option is domain forwarding: that is, forwarding the domain to another website.
Whether you’re consolidating your brand, dealing with domain typos, or just making your website easier to find, domain forwarding can be a useful tool.
In this article, we’ll break down what domain forwarding is, why you might need it, the types of forwarding available, and how to set it up.
What is Domain Forwarding?
Domain forwarding is the process of automatically redirecting visitors who land on one domain to another specified domain. For instance, if a business owns both “example.com” and “example.net,” domain forwarding can be used to direct all traffic from “example.net” to “example.com” to ensure visitors reach the right website.
With domain forwarding, you don’t need to maintain multiple versions of the same website. Instead, users can be funneled to a central location, improving consistency and helping to build brand recognition. Domain forwarding can be temporary or permanent and offers different options for how visitors see or interact with the redirected URL.
Why Use Domain Forwarding?
There are several reasons why individuals and businesses use domain forwarding:
- Brand Consistency: By registering variations of your domain name (like “.net” or “.org”) and redirecting them to your main domain, you strengthen brand identity and reduce confusion.
- Handling Typos: Registering common misspellings or typos of your domain and redirecting them to the correct one can help capture users who make typing mistakes.
- Rebranding Efforts: If you decide to change your domain name, domain forwarding allows you to seamlessly send visitors from your old site to your new one.
- Simplifying URLs for Marketing: Domain forwarding is also used for creating short, memorable URLs for advertising campaigns, social media, or events.
- Merging Acquisitions: When companies acquire other businesses, they can use domain forwarding to consolidate websites, reducing the need for users to memorize multiple domains.
Types of Domain Forwarding
There are two primary types of domain forwarding: Temporary Redirect (302) and Permanent Redirect (301). Each type has its use cases, especially when it comes to search engine optimization (SEO).
- Permanent Redirect (301)
- A 301 redirect tells search engines that a domain or page has been permanently moved to a new URL.
- SEO-friendly, as search engines will transfer most of the original page’s ranking power to the new page.
- Suitable for long-term or permanent moves, such as a domain change.
- Temporary Redirect (302)
- A 302 redirect indicates a temporary move, telling search engines not to transfer ranking power to the new domain.
- Useful if you’re temporarily redirecting traffic during a website redesign or maintenance.
- Ideal for temporary situations, but less beneficial for long-term SEO.
How to Set Up Domain Forwarding
Setting up domain forwarding is typically straightforward and can be done through your domain registrar or hosting provider (whichever one you’ve registered the domain name through).
Here are the basic steps involved in setting up domain forwarding:
Step 1: Log In to Your Domain Registrar
Start by logging in to your account where you purchased the domain.
Step 2: Locate the Forwarding Option
Each registrar has a different interface, but look for options related to domain settings or domain management. Within these settings, you should find a section labeled Domain Forwarding or Forwarding against each domain. Depending on the registrar, you may need to click on a domain name before you see this option.
Step 3: Enter the Destination URL
Once you’ve selected the domain forwarding option for your chosen domain, you’ll specify the URL you want visitors to be redirected to. For example, if you own “example.org” and want to redirect it to “example.com,” you would enter “example.com” as the destination.
Step 4: Choose the Type of Redirect (301 or 302)
Decide if the redirect will be permanent (301) or temporary (302), based on your needs. Most registrars provide these options in the forwarding setup page.
Step 5: Masking Option (optional)
Some registrars offer URL masking, which keeps the original domain name visible in the browser’s address bar rather than showing the new one. While useful in some cases, masking can cause issues with SEO and is not generally recommended.
Step 6: Save and Test
Once you’ve set up the forward, save the changes. Domain updates can take anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours to take effect, so give it some time and test it by entering the original URL in your browser to confirm it redirects properly.
Benefits and Drawbacks of Domain Forwarding
Here are a few things to consider before setting up domain forwarding:
Benefits
- Enhanced Branding: Consistent branding across various domains can improve brand recall.
- Error Mitigation: Captures visitors who mistype or misspell your domain.
- SEO Transfer: A 301 redirect can transfer SEO power to the new domain, maintaining search visibility.
- Centralized Management: Reduces the need for managing multiple websites for each domain.
Drawbacks
- URL Masking Issues: Masking can negatively impact SEO and lead to user confusion.
- SEO Limitations for Temporary Redirects: A 302 redirect doesn’t transfer SEO ranking, so temporary redirects might hinder long-term visibility.
- Additional Costs: Registering and managing multiple domains may come with extra costs.
SEO and Domain Forwarding: What You Need to Know
When setting up a domain forward, SEO considerations are critical, especially for businesses reliant on search traffic. Here’s what to keep in mind:
- Use 301 Redirects for Permanent Moves: This ensures that search engines pass ranking power to the new site, preserving your SEO efforts.
- Avoid Masking When Possible: Masking can lead to SEO penalties or a confusing user experience, as search engines view this as a deceptive practice.
- Monitor Your Redirects: If a redirect fails, visitors may end up on a 404 error page, which can hurt your SEO and user experience. Regularly test redirects to ensure they’re working properly.
Conclusion
Domain forwarding is a handy tool that can streamline your online presence, improve brand consistency, and enhance user experience. Understanding the differences between permanent and temporary redirects, as well as the potential impacts on SEO, is essential to using domain forwarding effectively. By following the right setup process and monitoring your domains, you can create a seamless experience for your users and maximize your brand’s reach across multiple domains.
Incorporate domain forwarding strategically, and you’ll ensure that users always reach the intended site, whether they typed your URL correctly or not.