How Do I Forward a Domain?

Forwarding a domain involves redirecting traffic from your domain to another website. Here's how to do it:

Steps to Forward Your Domain:

1. Access Your Domain Registrar's Settings: Log in to the account where you purchased your domain (e.g., GoDaddy, Namecheap, Google Domains).

2. Locate Domain Management: Find the section for managing your domains. This is usually called "My Domains," "Domain Management," or something similar.

3. Find Forwarding Options: Look for options labeled "Forwarding," "Domain Forwarding," "URL Redirect," or "DNS Records." The exact terminology varies depending on the registrar.

4. Enter the Destination URL: In the forwarding settings, enter the full URL of the website you want to forward your domain to (e.g., https://www.example.com). Make sure to include https:// or http://.

5. Choose a Redirect Type (Important!):

   • 301 Redirect (Permanent): This tells search engines that the domain has permanently moved to a new location. Use this when you are permanently changing the domain. It's SEO-friendly as it passes the link equity to the new domain.
   • 302 Redirect (Temporary): This tells search engines that the domain is temporarily redirecting to a new location. Use this if the move is temporary.

6. Consider Masking (If Available): Some registrars offer "masking" or "cloaking." This keeps your original domain name in the browser's address bar, even though the content is from the forwarded URL. Be cautious when using masking as it can sometimes negatively impact SEO and user experience. It is often better to use a standard redirect.

7. Save Your Changes: After configuring the settings, save or apply the changes.

8. Test the Forwarding: Open a web browser and type in your domain name. Verify that it correctly redirects to the destination website.

Example using GoDaddy:

1. Log in to your GoDaddy account.
2. Go to "My Products."
3. Find your domain and click "DNS."
4. Under "Forwarding", click "Add".
5. Enter the "Forward to" URL.
6. Select the redirect type (301 or 302).
7. Click "Save".

Example using Namecheap:

1. Log in to your Namecheap account.
2. Go to "Domain List."
3. Click the "Manage" button next to the domain you want to forward.
4. In the "Domain" tab, scroll down to the "Redirect Domain" section.
5. Turn the "Redirect Domain to another web address" switch to "ON".
6. Enter the target URL.
7. Click the checkmark to save.

Troubleshooting:

• DNS Propagation: It can take up to 48 hours for DNS changes to propagate across the internet. If the forwarding doesn't work immediately, wait a while and try again.
• Incorrect URL: Double-check that you entered the destination URL correctly, including http:// or https://.
• Conflicting DNS Records: If you have other DNS records (like A records or CNAME records) pointing to different servers, they may interfere with the forwarding. If you're not sure, consult with your domain registrar's support.