Introduction

Domain redirection, also known as URL forwarding, allows you to effortlessly guide visitors of your domain to a destination URL of your preference. This can include directing them to a new domain or an entirely distinct website.

For example,

https://twitter.surpriseflow.com redirects to https://twitter.com/SurpriseFlow_

In this example, when someone types “https://twitter.surpriseflow.com” into their URL box, they will be redirected to “https://twitter.com/SurpriseFlow_”.

HTTPS Redirects

In the above example, we’re using HTTPS. Why? Because HTTPS redirection has priority over HTTP redirection. It's an official ranking factor that Google takes seriously because it ensures site security and protects user information. This highlights the significant importance of HTTPS for SEO.

When you visit a website with HTTPS, it means the information you send and receive, like your name or things you buy, is hidden and kept safe. It's like having a secret wrapper over the content exchanged between you and the website, so only you and the website can understand each other.

Note:

Keep in mind that GoDaddy does not support HTTPS domain forwarding by default. You can create easy HTTPS redirects with SurpriseFlow, and all you’ll need to do is add a few records to your GoDaddy DNS!

Domain Types

There are two types of domains you’ll usually be dealing with—

Apex Domains

An apex domain is the main part of a website's address, like "surpriseflow.com". It represents the root or primary domain for the website.

Subdomains

A subdomain, on the other hand, is a subdivision of the main domain. is used to create separate sections or services within the website. For example, "blog.surpriseflow.com" or "app.surpriseflow.com" are subdomains.

Redirect Types

What are the kind of redirects that can be created? There are essentially two types of redirects that can be established—

Permanent Redirect (301)

A 301 redirect is a permanent redirect that should be implemented when a page permanently relocates to a new URL.

A Permanent Redirect, also known as a 301 redirect, is a way for a website to tell search engines and browsers that a web page has been permanently moved to a new location. It's like leaving a forwarding address when you move to a new house.

When a 301 redirect is set up, any visitors or search engine crawlers who try to access the old URL are automatically sent to the new URL.

Temporary Redirect (307)

A 307 redirect is a temporary redirect and should be utilized when a page temporarily moves to a different URL.

A Temporary Redirect, also known as a 307 redirect, is a method used by websites to indicate that a web page has temporarily moved to a different location. It's similar to when you temporarily move to a different place but plan to return to your original home later.

When a 307 redirect is implemented, visitors and search engine crawlers are then redirected to the temporary URL but the original URL is expected to be accessible again in the future.

How to create a Domain Redirect with GoDaddy?

GoDaddy lets you create easy domain redirects, and all you need to do is use the "Forward Domain" feature. Let's find out how this works.

1. Sign In to GoDaddy

• Once signed in, you'll arrive at the dashboard.

2. Go to your Domain

• Click on the "Domain" button in the sidebar to go to your list of domains.

3. Go to the Forward Domain feature

• From here, you can find your domain and click on the "Forward Domain" button.

4. Set your Destination URL

• Fill in the "Forward To Any Site" textbox with your Destination URL and click on the "Next" button.

4. Open Advanced Setting on the Forward Domain page

• Click on "Advanced Settings" to modify your redirect.

5. Set your Advanced Settings

• In "Advanced Settings", you can set the redirect type and if you want "Forward only" or "Forward with masking".

6. Finish

• Click on the "Finish" button to create your redirect.

And you’re done! Now you can effortlessly redirect visitors from your source domain to your desired destination URL.

Note:

Keep in mind that GoDaddy does not support HTTPS domain forwarding by default. You can create easy HTTPS redirects with SurpriseFlow, and all you’ll need to do is add a few records to your GoDaddy DNS!

Conclusion

In this guide, you have learned how to create a domain redirect with GoDaddy. By following these easy steps, you can seamlessly redirect visitors from one domain to another. Whether you need a permanent or temporary redirect, this guide has provided clear instructions to help you achieve your desired outcome!