Aliases vs. Redirects: Which One Should You Use?

Learn the differences between domain aliases and redirects. Discover how each method affects your website traffic and SEO, and find out which option is best for your needs.

Understanding Aliases and Redirects

When managing your website, you may encounter two common methods for directing visitors: aliases and redirects. While both serve the purpose of guiding users to another webpage, their functionalities and outcomes differ significantly.

Tip: Aliases keep the URL unchanged, while redirects show the new URL in the browser.

What is a Domain Alias?

A domain alias allows multiple domain names to point to the same content without changing the URL in the browser. For example, if a user types in example.org, the content from example.com will load, but the URL will still display as example.org.

How to Add a Domain Alias in cPanel

1. Log in to your cPanel account.

2. Navigate to the Domains section and click on Aliases.

3. In the Create a New Domain area, check the box under Document Root (File System Location).

4. Manage your new alias as needed.

Important: Using aliases can split your traffic, negatively affecting your website's SEO.

What is a Redirect?

A redirect points one domain to another, whether it’s a specific page or an entire website. Unlike aliases, when a redirect is used, the URL in the browser changes to reflect the target domain. For instance, when a user visits example.org, they will see example.com in the URL bar after the redirect.

Important Considerations for Redirects

When setting up a redirect, be aware that moving content to a new site may lead to broken links, particularly for images, which you'll need to address manually.

How to Set Up a Redirect in cPanel

1. Add the domain as an addon domain by going to the Domains section and clicking on Addon Domains.

2. Navigate to Redirects in cPanel.

3. Select the URL you want to redirect visitors from using the pop-up menu.

4. Enter the necessary information and click the Add button.

Success: Redirects are often the better choice for SEO and maintaining a unified traffic flow.

Conclusion

Deciding between a domain alias and a domain redirect depends on your specific needs. If you want to maintain a single URL while still directing users to the same content, aliases might be suitable. However, for better SEO and unified traffic flow, redirects are typically the better option.

If you have any questions or need assistance with setting up aliases or redirects, feel free to reach out to Clouduxe support!