How to Set Up & Manage Domain URL Redirections
The Web Forwarding feature is available on your account for free. This feature allows you to simply forward all traffic and visitors from one domain to another.
To set up the web redirection or URL redirection for your domain, follow these steps:
IMPORTANT. Your domain is set to Freeparking DNS servers: ns.freeparking.co.nz and ns2.freeparking.co.nz. Remove all existing A records to prevent conflicts with web redirection.
- Log in to your Freeparking Account Manager.
- Go to Domains tab and choose the domain that you want to manage.
- On the domain page, scroll down to the DNS Settings – Premium section.
- Click the hamburger menu, and then click Web Forward from the drop-down list.
- Enter the subdomain or leave the Sub Domain text box empty if you're setting up a web forwarding for the main domain.
- Enter the URL you wish the domain to forward in the Forward to Domain text box.
- Click the Update button to apply.
NOTE. If you use web forwarding and don't want the user to see the site address you are forwarding to, tick the Cloak box in the right section of Web Forward settings. Once enabled, visitors will be redirected to the site you want but will see the URL they originally typed into their browser. However, it is vital to remember that the Cloak feature will only work if the destination website allows it.
URL Redirection FAQ's
Can I remove or edit my URL Redirection?
Yes you can remove or change a URL redirection at any stage. Follow the same initial steps as detailed above to access the URL redirection section.
To delete just remove the URL from the Redirection to (URL): field and click the Save button.
To change the redirection just edit the URL in the Redirection to (URL): field accordingly and click the Save button.
What do the different redirection methods mean?
301 (Permanently Redirect). This is the best option mainly because it is the redirection method most favoured by search engines. The address in a visitors address bar will display the address of the site or page you are redirecting to. The search engines prefer this partly because they see that you are not “hiding” the fact you are redirecting the Domain name. The term Permanent does not mean that the redirection cannot be changed. It just means that for the foreseeable future you intend to keep the redirection in place. This is another reason for why the search engines prefer the 301 redirect method. A 301 redirect will also carry across any previous search engine ranking values for the Domain to the new page.
302 (Temporarily Redirect). This is similar to the 301 redirect but should only be used as a short term redirect option. It does not carry across any previous search engine ranking values for the Domain to the new page.
Cloaked (browser address stays as mydomain.co.nz). This method means that the address you are redirecting to is hidden. The address bar of the visitor’s browser will display your domain name. This is an older method and is not recommended if you are concerned about being ranked in search engines as it is not search engine friendly. Note: Some modern hosting services such as Google Sites and Facebook will not display if you redirect a Domain to their services using this method.
Can I see how many times my domain has been redirected?
Yes you can. Once a URL redirection has been enabled a simple Monthly Web Activity graph will show at the top of the URL Redirection page for the Domain with the number of redirects detected per month displayed.
Why is URL Redirection unavailable for my domain name?
For URL Redirection to be available, your domain needs to be using the Freeparking name servers (ns.freeparking.co.nz and ns2.freeparking.co.nz) and remove all existing A records to prevent conflicts with web redirection.
If you have the Single Page Site enabled for the Domain name that will also disable the Domain Redirection service.