What is an Alias Domain or Domain Alias?

We've all done it - logged onto our computer to visit a website that we were so sure we knew the URL of. We confidently typed idefinitelyknowmystuff.com into the URL bar, only to find the "site can't be reached.” The site we were so sure of was actually idefinitelyDONTknowmystuff.com. Face Palm.

Or, perhaps we've typed .com when we should have typed .net or .org. Double Face Palm! With 1,591 root types in existence, this mistake is incredibly common.

For business owners, a domain alias is a great tool for solving these problems and ensuring traffic to your primary domain. Keep reading to learn more about the multi-functional power of domain aliases.

How Does a Domain Alias Work? 

Think of each domain alias as a separate door through which potential visitors to your site can enter through. Visitors can choose whichever door they prefer, but they're still going to end up in the same room. Like inception, but for domains.

A domain alias is a domain that points to your existing website. It has no web pages of its own but instead serves to get people to your primary website through a different name.

Still curious why you need multiple doors to get into the same room? Read on!

Secure Multiple Root Types

As we've mentioned, there are A LOT of root types out there. The most popular is .com, but we've all seen .net, .org, .gov and more as well. That list continues to grow, as you can now use root types such as .win, .fun, .pizza, etc.

The possibilities continue to grow. If you run a toy company called Testing Toys, it makes sense to secure testingtoys.com and testingtoys.fun.

Setting up domain aliases for each root type that makes sense with your brand is an excellent way to ensure that all potential visitors get to your site.

Expand Your Brand

Let's say you own a restaurant that's well known for both pizza and pie. You could set up domain aliases for both bestpizza.com and bestpie.com and secure traffic from both sides.

Unlike a Redirect, when using a domain alias the URL does not change in a visitor's browser. If they type bestpie.com, they'll always see that URL in their browser even if it's just a domain alias to your primary website, bestrestaurant.com.

Why Are Alias Domains Important to Your Small Business?

An alias domain may sound like a sneaky spy name, but it's actually a crucial tool for small business owners who want to establish a strong online presence. This bad boy works by directing your website's traffic to your main domain, meaning you can have multiple domain names pointing to a single website. Talk about having a wingman to help promote your brand!

An alias domain solves the problem of having different variations of your domain name and having to create separate websites for each one. With an alias domain, you can redirect all traffic to one main website, saving you time and effort. It helps ensure that your potential customers can easily find and remember your website, no matter how they came across it. It also eliminates the risk of losing traffic due to a mistyped domain name or a variation of your name being already taken. 

Is a Domain Alias Right For You?

It's worth noting, that while a domain alias can be very helpful and relatively easy to set up, it will impact your SEO and traffic numbers. This is because each domain alias gets its own traffic, which will split your numbers between however many aliases you have. If SEO traffic is important to you, a domain alias may not be the solution.

Schedule an appointment with us today to determine if a domain alias is best for your business. We'll be able to answer any questions you have and get you set up with the best option for your business needs.

What is an Alias Domain? Summary

• Domain aliases are a great tool for ensuring traffic to a primary domain

• A domain alias is a separate door to the same website, with no web pages of its own

• It's important to secure multiple root types (eg. .com, .net, .org, etc.) to maximize potential visitors

• A domain alias also helps to expand one's brand by creating different names that direct people to the same main website

• Domain aliases will impact SEO and traffic numbers, so it's best to consult with an expert before deciding if this is the right option