Pointing Multiple Domains to One Website
Domain pointers (also called domain aliases or parked domains) let you point additional domain names to the same website as your primary domain. Visitors accessing any of the aliased domains will see the same content as your main site.
Types of Domain Pointers
- Alias (Non-redirect): The additional domain shows your website content while keeping the alias domain in the browser's address bar. For example, both
example.comandexample.netdisplay the same site, but the URL stays as whichever domain the visitor typed. - Redirect (301): The additional domain redirects visitors to your primary domain. The URL in the browser changes to the primary domain. This is better for SEO as it consolidates link equity.
Adding a Domain Pointer
- Log in to DirectAdmin.
- Navigate to Account Manager → Domain Pointers.
- In the Add Domain Pointer field, enter the domain you want to point (e.g.,
example.net). - Select whether to create an Alias or a Redirect.
- Click Add.
Important: Before adding a domain pointer, ensure the pointer domain's nameservers or A record points to the same server. Update this at your domain registrar.
SEO Considerations
Having multiple domains serve the same content can cause duplicate content issues with search engines. To avoid this:
- Use 301 redirects instead of aliases to point secondary domains to your primary domain.
- If using aliases, set a canonical URL in your HTML
<head>:<link rel="canonical" href="https://example.com/current-page" />
SSL for Domain Pointers
Each domain pointer needs its own SSL certificate. When configuring Let's Encrypt, include the pointer domain in the certificate request alongside your primary domain.
Removing a Domain Pointer
- Go to Domain Pointers.
- Locate the pointer domain in the list.
- Click the Delete or Remove button next to it.
Removing a pointer only removes the server-side configuration. You may also want to update DNS settings at the registrar if the domain is no longer needed.