How to Set Up Domain Forwarding?

If you own multiple domain names or recently rebranded your business, you might want all your domains to point to a single website. That’s where domain forwarding (also called URL forwarding or domain redirection) comes in.

This guide explains what domain forwarding is, why you might need it, and how to set it up step by step whether through your domain registrar, hosting panel, or DNS settings.

What Is Domain Forwarding?

Domain forwarding is the process of automatically redirecting visitors from one domain name to another.

✅ Example: If you own both example.net and example.com, you can forward example.net to example.com, so anyone who types the .net address will land on the .com website.

Types of Domain Forwarding:

• 301 Permanent Redirect – Tells browsers and search engines the domain has permanently moved (best for SEO).

• 302 Temporary Redirect – Indicates the forwarding is temporary.

• Masked Forwarding – Keeps the original domain visible in the browser bar while showing the target site’s content.

Why Should You Use Domain Forwarding?

• Brand Protection – Point multiple extensions (e.g., .com, .net, .org) to your main site.

• Simplify Navigation – Use a shorter domain to redirect to a longer URL.

• Rebranding – Send visitors from your old domain to your new domain seamlessly.

• Fix Typos – Redirect common misspellings to the correct domain.

• Campaigns – Forward marketing specific domains to dedicated landing pages.

How to Set Up Domain Forwarding (Step by Step)

Log In to Your Domain Registrar

Sign in to the platform where you purchased your domain (e.g., GoDaddy, Namecheap, Google Domains).

• Go to My Domains or Domain Management.

• Select the domain you want to forward.

Find the Domain Forwarding Settings

Each registrar labels it differently:

• GoDaddy → “DNS Management → Forwarding”

• Namecheap → “Advanced DNS → Redirect Domain”

• Google Domains → “Website → Domain Forwarding”

Choose Your Forwarding Type

• 301 (Permanent Redirect) – Best for SEO and long-term redirection.

• 302 (Temporary Redirect) – For short term projects or campaigns.

• Masked Forwarding – Displays the forwarded website while keeping the original domain visible in the address bar.

Enter the Destination URL

Type the website address you want your visitors to be redirected to.
✅ Example: Forward mybrand.net → https://www.mybrand.com

Save and Wait for DNS Propagation

Forwarding changes can take a few minutes up to 24–48 hours to propagate across the internet. During this time, some visitors may still see the old settings.

How to Set Up Domain Forwarding via Hosting Panels

If you manage your domain in cPanel or Plesk, you can set up forwarding there too.

➡ Using cPanel:

1. Log into cPanel.

2. Go to Domains → Redirects.

3. Select your domain and add the forwarding URL.

4. Choose Permanent (301) or Temporary (302) and save.

➡ Using Plesk:

1. Open Plesk Panel.

2. Go to Domains and select the domain.

3. Click Hosting Settings → Hosting Type → Forwarding.

4. Enter the target URL and save.

Important Things to Know About Domain Forwarding

• Emails won’t forward automatically – If you forward example.net to example.com, email accounts (like info@example.net) will not redirect unless you set up email forwarding separately.

• SSL Certificates – If you’re forwarding to an HTTPS site, ensure the target domain has a valid SSL certificate.

• SEO Considerations – Always use a 301 redirect for permanent moves; this tells search engines to update their index.

Domain forwarding is a simple yet powerful way to manage multiple domains, protect your brand, and guide visitors to the right website.

Whether you’re rebranding, consolidating websites, or just protecting different domain extensions, setting up domain forwarding ensures a seamless experience for your users and helps you maintain a clean, professional online presence.