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: You can create easy HTTPS redirects with SurpriseFlow, and all you’ll need to do is add a few records to your existing DNS service!

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 HTTPS Redirect with SurpriseFlow?

SurpriseFlow lets you create easy domain redirects with HTTPS enabled, and all you need to do is add the required records to your existing DNS service.

1. Sign In to SurpriseFlow

• Once signed in, click on the "Create a New HTTPS Redirect" button!

2. Choose the Redirect Type

• Select the type of redirect you want to create: Permanent or Temporary.

3. Specify Source Domain and Destination URL

• Enter the source domain that you wish to redirect.

• Provide the destination URL where you want the source domain to redirect to.

4. Create the HTTPS Redirect

• Click on the "Create HTTPS Redirect" button to initiate the creation process.

5. Add records to existing DNS Service

• After creating the redirect, you need to add the necessary records to your existing DNS service. (Note: The steps demonstrated in the video are for Cloudflare, but you can use any DNS service of your choice.)

6. Verify the Domain

• Once the DNS records are added, click on the "Verify Domain" button.

The time it takes to verify your domain depends on how fast your DNS can update records. It should be done within a few minutes, but could also take up to 24 hours for an exceptionally slow DNS service.

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

Conclusion

In this guide, you have learned how to create a domain redirect with HTTPS enabled. 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!