A domain alias — sometimes called a parked domain — points an additional domain name at your existing website, so both addresses show the same content. It’s the right tool when you own several domains and want them all to land on one site. Here’s how to set it up.
When to use an alias
Aliases are useful when you’ve bought variations of your domain — perhaps .com, .co.tz and .net, or a common misspelling — and want them all to reach your main site. Rather than building separate sites, you point the extras at your existing one. Visitors typing any of them arrive at the same place.
The key difference from an addon domain
Don’t confuse this with an addon domain. An addon domain is a separate website with its own content. An alias shows your existing content under a different name. If you want the same site on multiple domains, use an alias; if you want different sites, use an addon domain.
Setting up the alias
- In cPanel, open Aliases (called Parked Domains on some panels) under the Domains section.
- Enter the domain you want to point at your site under Create a New Alias.
- Click Add Domain.
The extra domain now displays your main website.
Point the domain’s DNS first
For the alias to work, the domain you’re aliasing must have its nameservers pointing to our servers — the same values used by your main domain, found in your welcome email. If the domain is registered elsewhere, update its nameservers before or after adding the alias. DNS changes can take a few hours to propagate.
Redirect instead of duplicate, for SEO
Showing identical content on multiple domains can create duplicate-content confusion for search engines. If SEO matters, consider setting the alias to redirect to your main domain instead, so all the traffic and ranking value consolidates on one canonical address. cPanel’s Aliases page includes a Manage Redirection option for exactly this.
SSL for the aliased domain
The extra domain needs SSL coverage too. Once its DNS points to us, AutoSSL should issue a certificate automatically. Check SSL/TLS Status and run AutoSSL if needed, so visitors on the alias also get the padlock.
Aliases are a tidy way to make sure every domain you own leads people to your site. Ask us if you’d like help deciding between an alias and a redirect for your situation.
