How to Redirect an Addon Domain (2026 Beginner’s Guide)

Redirecting an addon domain is a simple way to send visitors from one website or domain to another. Whether you’ve launched a new website, changed your domain name, or want multiple domains to point to the same destination, cPanel makes the process quick and easy.

In this beginner-friendly guide, you’ll learn what an addon domain redirect is, why it’s useful, and how to set it up correctly using cPanel. We’ll also cover common mistakes, troubleshooting tips, and frequently asked questions to help you complete the task with confidence.

What Is an Addon Domain Redirect?

An addon domain redirect automatically sends visitors from one domain to another website or webpage.

Instead of showing the original website, the browser takes visitors directly to the new destination.

Simple Example

Imagine you own:

• myoldstore.com
• mynewstore.com

If customers visit myoldstore.com, you can redirect them to mynewstore.com so everyone lands on your new website.

This helps visitors find the correct website without confusion.

Why Is Redirecting an Addon Domain Important?

Redirecting an addon domain offers several benefits:

• Keeps visitors from landing on outdated websites
• Helps maintain website traffic after changing domains
• Improves user experience
• Reduces broken links
• Supports SEO by forwarding visitors to the correct website
• Makes website management easier

Common situations include:

• Moving to a new domain
• Rebranding a business
• Redirecting promotional domains
• Combining multiple websites into one

Requirements Before You Start

Before creating a redirect, make sure you have:

Requirement	Why It’s Needed
Hosting account	Access to your website
cPanel login	To manage your domains
Addon domain already added	Only existing addon domains can be redirected
Web browser	To access cPanel
Website backup	Recommended before making changes

Important: Always create a backup before changing website settings.

Step-by-Step Guide to Redirect an Addon Domain

Step 1: Log in to cPanel

What to Do

Open your hosting account and log in to your cPanel dashboard.

Why You’re Doing It

All domain management tools are available inside cPanel.

What You’ll See

The cPanel home page with different management sections.

Beginner Tip

Use the search bar at the top if you cannot find an option.

Common Mistake

Logging into the wrong hosting account.

Step 2: Open the Redirects Tool

What to Do

Under the Domains section, click Redirects.

Why You’re Doing It

This tool allows you to create website redirects.

What You’ll See

A page containing redirect options including:

• Redirect Type
• Domain Selection
• Redirect Destination

Beginner Tip

Make sure you’re using the Redirects tool and not the Domains page.

Common Mistake

Choosing the wrong domain from the list.

Step 3: Select Your Addon Domain

What to Do

From the Domain dropdown menu, choose the addon domain you want to redirect.

Why You’re Doing It

This tells cPanel which domain should send visitors elsewhere.

What You’ll See

Your addon domain selected in the dropdown list.

Beginner Tip

Double-check the domain before continuing.

Common Mistake

Selecting the primary domain instead of the addon domain.

Step 4: Choose Redirect Type

You will usually see two options.

Redirect Type	When to Use
Permanent (301)	Website moved permanently
Temporary (302)	Short-term redirect

Why You’re Doing It

The redirect type tells browsers and search engines how to handle the redirect.

Beginner Tip

Use 301 Permanent Redirect if you’ve permanently moved your website.

Common Mistake

Using a temporary redirect when the move is permanent.

Step 5: Enter the Destination URL

What to Do

Type the full website address where visitors should go.

Example:

https://www.example.com

Why You’re Doing It

This is the new location visitors will reach.

What You’ll See

The destination URL field filled with your new website.

Beginner Tip

Always include:

• https://
• http://

Common Mistake

Entering only the domain name without the protocol.

Step 6: Configure Redirect Options

Depending on your cPanel version, you may see additional options such as:

• Redirect with or without www
• Wild Card Redirect

Wild Card Redirect

When enabled:

oldsite.com/blog

becomes

newsite.com/blog

instead of

newsite.com

This keeps page URLs the same.

Beginner Tip

Only enable Wild Card Redirect if your new website has matching page URLs.

Step 7: Create the Redirect

What to Do

Click Add or Save.

Why You’re Doing It

This activates the redirect.

What You’ll See

A success confirmation message.

Beginner Tip

Open a new browser window and test the redirect.

Common Mistake

Forgetting to test after saving.

Redirect Types Explained

Although redirects are different from backups, it’s useful to understand the available redirect options.

Redirect Type	Best For
301 Permanent	Permanent website move
302 Temporary	Short-term changes
Wild Card Redirect	Redirect all pages while keeping URL paths

Best Practices

Follow these tips for the best results:

• Always create a backup before making changes.
• Use HTTPS whenever possible.
• Test the redirect in multiple browsers.
• Use 301 redirects for permanent website moves.
• Avoid redirect loops.
• Keep your DNS records correct.
• Remove old redirects that are no longer needed.
• Update internal website links after redirecting.

Common Problems and Solutions

Problem	Solution
Redirect not working	Clear browser cache and check DNS settings
Redirect loop	Remove conflicting redirects
Wrong website opens	Verify destination URL
HTTPS warning	Install an SSL certificate
Addon domain missing	Confirm the domain has been added correctly
Changes not visible	Wait for DNS propagation if DNS was recently changed

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is an addon domain redirect?

It automatically sends visitors from one domain to another website.

2. Should I use a 301 or 302 redirect?

Use a 301 redirect for permanent changes and a 302 redirect for temporary changes.

3. Will visitors notice the redirect?

Usually, the redirect happens automatically within seconds.

4. Does redirecting affect SEO?

A properly configured 301 redirect helps preserve search engine rankings during a domain change.

5. Can I remove the redirect later?

Yes. You can delete or edit redirects anytime from the Redirects section in cPanel.

6. Can I redirect one page instead of the entire domain?

Yes. cPanel allows page-specific redirects as well.

7. What is a Wild Card Redirect?

It redirects every page on the old domain to the matching page on the new domain.

8. Do I need an SSL certificate?

If your destination website uses HTTPS, having an SSL certificate is recommended to avoid browser security warnings.

Conclusion

Knowing how to redirect an addon domain is an essential skill for anyone managing a website. Whether you’re changing your domain name, launching a new website, or consolidating multiple domains, cPanel provides a simple way to create redirects in just a few minutes.

Always choose the correct redirect type, test your settings after saving, and keep a backup of your website before making changes. A properly configured redirect helps visitors reach the right destination while improving user experience and supporting your website’s SEO.