< All Topics
Print

Custom Domain Redirects & URL Forwarding

1. Overview

CloudWebs allows you to redirect your domain or subdomain to another website or URL using simple tools in your:

  • Client Dashboard (for domains)
  • cPanel (for web hosting accounts)

This is helpful for:

  • Moving to a new domain
  • Redirecting traffic from old URLs
  • Masking long URLs (for promotions, tracking, etc.)

2. Types of Redirects Supported

Redirect TypePurpose
301 (Permanent)Tells search engines the page has permanently moved
302 (Temporary)For short-term redirects (e.g., seasonal promotions)
URL Frame / MaskedKeeps your domain visible in the address bar while showing another site (not recommended for SEO)

3. Setting Up Redirects in the CloudWebs Dashboard (Domains Only)

🔁 For domains NOT hosted on CloudWebs servers (no hosting attached):

  1. Go to Dashboard > Domains > Manage
  2. Click DNS Zone Manager
  3. Add a Forwarding Rule or set up a CNAME redirect
    • For example, forward blog.yourdomain.com → blog.otherdomain.com

If using domain parking or simple redirection:


4. Setting Up Redirects in cPanel (Hosted Domains)

🛠️ Steps (For CloudWebs hosting plans):

  1. Log in to your cPanel
  2. Go to Domains > Redirects
  3. Choose:
    • Type: Permanent (301) or Temporary (302)
    • Domain or subdomain to redirect
    • Destination URL
  4. Click Add

✅ You can redirect to another page on the same domain or to a completely different domain.


🖼️ Visual: cPanel Redirect Tool


5. Redirecting Non-WWW to WWW (or vice versa)

If you want to force users to always land on a specific version of your domain:

👇 Add this .htaccess rule:

Force www version:

apacheCopyEditRewriteEngine On
RewriteCond %{HTTP_HOST} !^www\. [NC]
RewriteRule ^(.*)$ https://www.yourdomain.com/$1 [L,R=301]

Force non-www version:

apacheCopyEditRewriteEngine On
RewriteCond %{HTTP_HOST} ^www\. [NC]
RewriteRule ^(.*)$ https://yourdomain.com/$1 [L,R=301]

🔐 Ensure SSL is active if using HTTPS in your redirect rules.


6. Common Redirect Use Cases

ScenarioSolution
Moved your site to a new domainSet a 301 redirect from olddomain.com to newdomain.com
Promote a short link for marketingRedirect a subdomain (e.g., sale.yourdomain.com) to a long tracking URL
Keep branding but use external appMask client.yourdomain.com over crm.vendor.com (use with caution)
Redirect based on locationNot supported natively – use third-party services like Cloudflare Rules

7. Troubleshooting Redirect Issues

ProblemResolution
Redirect not workingClear browser cache or check DNS propagation
Redirection loop errorEnsure you don’t have conflicting .htaccess rules
SSL error on redirected domainInstall or enable SSL for destination site
URL shows “Not Found” after redirectCheck destination path accuracy

✅ Summary Checklist

  • ✔️ Use cPanel or Dashboard to set up 301/302 redirects
  • ✔️ Use .htaccess rules for advanced control
  • ✔️ Avoid masked redirects unless absolutely necessary
  • ✔️ Monitor redirects with Google Search Console
  • ✔️ Always test redirects after publishing

🆘 Need Help?

For advanced redirection setups, or to enable domain masking/parking:
📨 support@cloudwebs.com.au
Or use Tayla.AI for real-time redirect assistance and syntax validation

Table of Contents