What is Map Domain?

Map domain, more commonly referred to as domain mapping, is a technique that allows you to use multiple different domain names to point to and display content from a single website.

Domain mapping makes it possible to use multiple domains for a single website. This capability is particularly useful when managing content across various web addresses without needing separate hosting or websites for each domain.

How Domain Mapping Works

Essentially, domain mapping involves configuring your web server or content management system (CMS) to associate additional domain names with your primary website's content directory or specific pages. When a user types one of the mapped domains into their browser, the server directs them to the content hosted under your main domain.

This process comes in handy when using content management systems like WordPress. Within such platforms, you can use domain mapping to structure multiple domains and subpages and connect them with each other. This allows for flexible website structures where different domains or subdomains can lead to specific sections or pages of a larger site.

Why Use Domain Mapping?

There are several practical reasons why someone might use domain mapping:

• Branding: Directing different domain names (e.g., yourbrand.com, yourbrand.net, yourbrand.org) to the same website to capture traffic from users who might type in a different extension.
• Geotargeting: Using country-specific domains (e.g., yourbrand.co.uk, yourbrand.ca) to serve relevant content from your main site, often showing content localized for that region.
• Campaigns/Microsites: Pointing specific, memorable domains created for marketing campaigns or specific products/services to relevant sections of your main website.
• URL Management: Simplifying complex URLs by mapping shorter, more memorable domains to deep links within your site.

Practical Examples

Consider a business with a main website at examplecompany.com. They might use domain mapping for:

• examplecompany.co.uk to show content targeted at the UK market.
• examplecompanyshoes.com to direct users interested in their shoe line directly to the shoe category page on examplecompany.com.
• buyexample.com as a short, easy-to-remember domain for advertising campaigns that points to their main e-commerce page.

In a CMS like WordPress, domain mapping can be configured through plugins or server-level settings to achieve these outcomes. This allows for a cohesive web presence under different addresses.