How to Forward a Domain
To forward a domain, first, log in to your domain provider’s account. Find the DNS settings for your domain. In the forwarding section, enter the domain name you want to forward to. Click "Save" and the domain will forward.
Why Forward Multiple Domains?
You may wonder why use additional domains for one website. Domain forwarding allows pointing multiple domains to an existing site. For example, you could buy the .com and .net versions of a domain to drive more traffic to your primary site. Nonprofits can use .org addresses forwarded to their .com site.
Steps for Forwarding with GoDaddy
Forwarding a domain with GoDaddy takes 3 steps:
- Login to your GoDaddy account
- Click "DNS" next to the domain
- Under "Forwarding" select "Add Domain"
Enter the domain to forward to and click save.
Avoiding Search Engine Indexing Issues
Having multiple domains without hosting avoids search engine indexing issues. To prevent indexing, set up a 301 redirect from extra domains to your main domain. This permanently redirects traffic while avoiding duplicate content penalties.
Costs and Troubleshooting
The domain transfer process costs $10 plus VAT. The fee is paid by either the current or new registrant. Domain forwarding itself is typically free with most registrars.
If forwarding seems broken, first refresh your browser. If that doesn’t work, flush your DNS cache. Rarely, conflicting DNS records may need to be deleted first.
Domain forwarding is an easy way to centralize multiple domains to your main website. Just log in to your registrar, find the forwarding settings, and enter the destination domain for a seamless traffic redirection.