Redirecting a domain is often necessary when changing your website structure, rebranding, or managing multiple domains. It helps guide visitors to the right place and can preserve SEO value when done correctly.
However, not all redirects function the same way. There are different types of domain redirects—such as 301 redirects, CNAME records, domain Aliases, and Domain forwarding—each with its own purpose and behavior.
In this article, we’ll explore the most common types of domain redirects, explain how they work, and help you decide which one is best suited for your specific use case.
CNAME Record
A CNAME (Canonical Name) record is a type of DNS record that points one domain or subdomain to another domain name—not to an IP address. Think of it as an alias that allows one domain “borrow” the destination of another.
For example, if you want blog.example.com to display content hosted on a third-party platform like example.bloghost.com, a CNAME record makes that possible.
Visitors will see your branded subdomain in the browser, but the content is actually served from the external service.
Unlike an HTTP redirect, which changes the address in the browser’s bar, a CNAME keeps the original subdomain visible while seamlessly routing the traffic to the target domain. This makes CNAME records ideal for setting up branded subdomains, ensuring your domain remains front and center even when the backend is managed elsewhere.
Pros of using a CNAME
Using CNAME records is a simple and effective way to point subdomains (like blog, shop, or info) to external services without requiring separate IP addresses or extra hosting. They make DNS management easier—if the target’s IP changes, you only need to update it once. CNAME records also help maintain consistent branding, as visitors still see your domain in the browser.
At WPX, you can point a subdomain to an external service using a CNAME without adding it as a separate site. Simply add the record to your main domain’s DNS zone, and it won’t consume a hosting slot.
Cons of using CNAME
While CNAME records are useful, they come with a few limitations.
- They can only point to domain names—not IP addresses—and cannot share the same subdomain with other DNS records like A or MX.
- CNAME records cannot be used on your root domain.
- They are not suitable for full domain-to-domain redirects.
- CNAME records require an extra DNS lookup, which may slightly slow resolution times, especially when chained.
- If the target domain experiences issues, your CNAME will be affected as well, so it’s crucial to point to reliable services.
In summary
A CNAME record allows you to point one domain or subdomain to another, making it ideal for using external services (such as Shopify, Zendesk, Webflow, etc.) under your own domain. At WPX, you can easily add CNAME records directly in your DNS zone without needing to create a new site—making the setup process both simple and flexible.
You can see how to add a CNAME in your WPX Control Panel here.
Alias (Domain Aliasing)
A domain alias is when one domain points to another, essentially acting as a “mask” for the original domain.
For example, if you set up newdomain.com as an alias for olddomain.com, visitors will see olddomain.com‘s content, but the address in the browser will still display newdomain.com. This is also called domain masking.
An alias can be useful for making your site accessible under different domains, but it’s not the same as a 301 redirect. Aliasing doesn’t change the URL in the browser’s address bar permanently by default; it just hides the original domain behind the alias.
Pros of Domain Alias
- Simple Setup: Domain Aliasing is easy to set up and does not require extensive technical knowledge.
- Brand Consistency: Helps maintain consistent branding by allowing a secondary domain to display content from the primary domain without changing the URL in the address bar.
- No Additional Hosting Slot Usage: Setting up an alias doesn’t consume any extra hosting slots, making it a cost-effective option.
- Seamless User Experience: Visitors will see the aliased domain in the browser’s address bar, keeping the original site’s structure intact without redirection.
- Ideal for Multiple Domain Names: Useful for businesses with multiple domain names that want to redirect traffic to a single site without needing separate hosting accounts.
- Alias domains CAN have their own email mailboxes with WPX.
Cons of Domain Alias:
- No SSL Certificates: Aliased domains cannot have their own SSL certificate, so the main domain must handle security, which may complicate certain setups.
- Limited Redirect Flexibility: By default, aliases can only redirect the entire domain to the original site, without the option to forward traffic to specific pages or subdomains. However, with additional setup, a 301 redirect can be added with WPX to achieve this flexibility.
- No SEO Benefits: Domain Aliases don’t pass SEO value the same way a 301 redirect or domain forwarding might, making them less ideal for SEO purposes when changing domains.
In Summary
An alias is like a nickname for a website. Imagine you have a website with a long or complicated address, but you want to make it easier for people to remember or access. You can create an alias—a simpler or different domain name that points to your original website. An alias doesn’t change the address in the browser permanently; it’s just a way to make the original site accessible through a different name.
More about the topic and how to setup an Domain Aliasing you can check here.
Domain Forwarding
Domain Forwarding is a method of redirecting a domain or subdomain to another domain or page. Unlike a Domain Alias, which simply points one domain to another without changing the browser’s address bar, Domain Forwarding works more like a 301/302 redirect. It can forward visitors to a specific page or subdomain.
For instance, if you set up newdomain.com to forward to domain.com, not only will the main website redirect, but any subdomains like newdomain.com/contact-us will also redirect to domain.com/contact-us, or blog.newdomain.com will go to blog.domain.com.
Pros of Domain Forwarding
- Seamless Redirection: Automatically redirects visitors to the correct site or page when changing domains.
- Helps maintain SEO rankings by passing SEO value through a 301 redirect.
- Flexibility: Allows redirection to specific pages or subdomains, offering more control over how traffic is routed (e.g., newdomain.com/contact-us redirects to domain.com/contact-us).
- Visitors are automatically redirected, so they don’t need to update bookmarks.
- Domain Forwarding doesn’t consume a hosting slot.
- You can forward to a specific page or subdomain, providing flexibility in how traffic is routed (e.g., newdomain.com forwarding to domain.com/newpage).
Cons of Domain Forwarding
- Some registrars restrict advanced configurations like forwarding with masking.
- If you’re using email with your domain, forwarding may interfere with email configurations. WPX doesn’t support email with forwarding; third-party services are required.
- Domain Forwarding is best suited for simple redirections. More complex scenarios, such as extensive content handling or advanced routing, may require alternative methods.
- Redirects require additional steps to route traffic, which could slightly slow down page load times.
- Visitors may not immediately realize they’ve been redirected, and the process can be confusing if not set up properly.
- If WPX is not your domain registrar, you must set up Domain Forwarding with your current registrar.
- Some registrars offer Domain Forwarding with masking, but this feature is not commonly available and may not meet all needs.
If WPX is your domain registrar, you will need to contact WPX Support for assistance.
In Summary
It’s ideal for rebranding or domain changes, ensuring visitors are automatically redirected without the need to update bookmarks. Domain Forwarding offers more flexibility than a Domain Alias by enabling redirection to specific pages or subdomains.
301 .htaccess Redirect
A 301 Redirect is a permanent redirection from one URL to another. It tells search engines and visitors that a page or site has moved permanently. This method helps maintain your SEO rankings and traffic by transferring SEO value to the new URL, ensuring visitors are automatically sent to the correct location.
What can you do with a 301 .htaccess Redirect? Basically everything!
- Redirect an entire website or specific pages to a new URL.
- Redirect subdomains or even to an IP address.
- Exclude pages from redirection or set up reverse redirects.
It offers more control than basic domain forwarding, minus domain masking.
Pros of a 301 Redirect
- Passes SEO value to the new URL, maintaining search rankings.
- Redirects are permanent, so no future updates are needed.
- Allows redirection to specific pages, subdomains, or IPs.
- Automatically redirects visitors to the new page without disruption.
- Except for site management, 301 redirects don’t use additional hosting slots.
Cons of a 301 Redirect
- Requires some technical knowledge to configure .htaccess.
- Incorrect redirects can cause broken links or loops.
- Search engines may take time to adjust and transfer SEO value.
- Redirect chains can affect page load times.
- Requires a hosting slot for managing the site in your dashboard.
In Summary
A 301 Redirect is essential when moving a site or changing domains. Using .htaccess, it provides flexibility, redirects visitors seamlessly, and helps preserve SEO value.
However, it requires careful setup to avoid errors and slowdowns. If you’re migrating a site, it’s the best method to ensure a smooth transition while maintaining SEO performance.
301 redirects are essential for preserving SEO when URLs change, but they should be used carefully—especially if you’re handling many redirects.
If you’re unsure about how to build and set up a redirect, please contact us for assistance to avoid potential issues like broken links, redirect loops, or SEO setbacks.
To learn more about the topic and how to set up a 301 Redirect with WPX you can check here.
Have more questions? Contact the WPX Support Team through the live chat widget in the bottom-right corner, and they’ll assist you promptly, typically within 30 seconds.