- Wix Team
- Nov 10
- 8 min read
The perfect domain is just a click away: claim your domain→
Want your old domain to send visitors to the right place without losing traffic or SEO? Domain forwarding is the answer. Whether you're switching domains rebranding or managing multiple sites, forwarding makes sure your visitors always end up where they should. Knowing how and when to forward can save you headaches and protect your search rankings.
TL;DR: Domain forwarding
Domain forwarding sends visitors from one domain to another automatically. It’s great for managing multiple domains, rebranding or keeping SEO and traffic intact. Always use 301 redirects for SEO and keep in mind that emails are managed separately from forwarding.
Here's what we'll cover:
Domain forwarding: What it is and how it works (especially on Wix)
SEO: Why 301 redirects are crucial for your ranking and traffic
Email: How business emails are affected (or not)
When to use it: Practical reasons to forward your domains
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What is domain forwarding?
Domain forwarding (you might also hear it called domain name forwarding or domain redirect) is essentially sending visitors from one web address to another automatically. When someone types your old domain name into their browser, they're instantly taken straight to your new website. You don’t need to host a new site or move files — the redirect just points people in the right direction.
For example, let’s say you own yourdomain.net but you want everyone to visit yourdomain.com. You can set up domain forwarding. Visitors who go to the .net version will immediately land on your main site.
Learn more:
How does domain forwarding work?
When you set up forwarding your domain provider changes your DNS (Domain Name System) settings. These settings tell browsers to load your new website instead of the original one. Most domain registrars handle this automatically once you add the new URL.
When to use domain forwarding
Domain forwarding is useful if you’re building a website or updating your site’s infrastructure. It helps make sure visitors reach the right place, even if your domain changes, you rebrand or you consolidate multiple domains. Forwarding keeps traffic and SEO intact without losing visitors.
Domain forwarding can be super handy in many situations:
Rebranding your business: Changed your company or website name but still want visitors from your old domain.
Owning multiple domains: Got several domain extensions (.com, .net, .org)? Redirect them all to your main site.
Marketing campaigns: Use a short, catchy domain that points to a long product page.
Protecting your brand: Buy domains similar to your name or business and forward them to your main site to avoid misuse.
Simplifying access: Use URL forwarding services to create easy-to-remember links for social media or ads.
Tip: Use domain name search and domain name generator to explore alternatives if your preferred domain is taken, and a Whois domain lookup to verify ownership before setting up forwarding.
Types of domain forwarding
There are a few ways to redirect a domain, and each one works a little differently.
301 redirect (permanent): A 301 redirect tells browsers and search engines that your domain has moved for good. It’s the best option for SEO because it passes most of your site’s ranking power to the new domain. If you’ve rebranded or changed your website address permanently this is the redirect for you.
302 redirect (temporary): A 302 redirect is for temporary moves. For example, if you're redesigning your website and want to send visitors somewhere else for a short time a 302 works. However, it does not transfer SEO value like a 301 does.
DNS redirect to another domain: Some registrars allow you to set up a DNS-level redirect. Instead of adding forwarding rules within your website settings, you can adjust your DNS records to point directly to another domain’s IP or address. This is typically for simple one domain to another setups, though it’s less flexible than a 301 redirect.
What is domain forwarding with masking?
Masked forwarding (also known as cloaked forwarding) shows your destination site's content inside an iframe. But here's the kicker: it keeps your original domain name in the browser bar. For example, if yourdomain.net forwards to yourdomain.com, visitors will still see yourdomain.net even though they're viewing content from the other site.
Sounds convenient, right? Not so fast. This practice is terrible for SEO and user experience. Search engines can't properly read iframe content, analytics tracking might not work and your site could appear untrustworthy. Always use a standard 301 redirect instead of masked forwarding.
How to set up domain forwarding
The process varies by domain registrar but the general steps are the same.
Log in to your domain account: Go to your domain provider's website.
Open domain settings: Find a section called “Domain settings” “DNS management” or “Forwarding.”
Select domain forwarding: Look for an option like “Forward domain” “Redirect” or “URL forwarding.”
Enter the destination URL: Type in the web address where you want to send your visitors. For example forward yourdomain.net to https://yourdomain.com.
Choose the redirect type:
Select 301 redirect for a permanent move.
Select 302 redirect for a temporary one.
Save changes: Click save and wait for the update to go live. It can take a few minutes or several hours for DNS changes to take effect.
Wix domain forwarding
Wix’s domain forwarding options vary depending on where you want to send your traffic. You can forward a Wix domain to another Wix site, to a domain hosted with another provider, or use a domain you own elsewhere to forward to a Wix site.
Forwarding a Wix domain to another Wix domain
To forward a Wix domain to another Wix domain, make sure your domain is on a premium plan, as free Wix domains cannot be forwarded. In your Wix dashboard, go to Domains and find the forwarding options. Enter the new Wix domain as the destination and choose the type of redirect. Use a 301 (permanent) redirect if the move is long-term, or a 302 (temporary) redirect if it’s short-term. Save your changes and allow up to 48 hours for DNS propagation.
Forwarding a Wix domain to a domain hosted by another provider
To forward a Wix domain to a domain hosted outside Wix, simply go to your Wix Domains settings, enter the destination URL and select 301 (permanent). Save your changes and allow up to 48 hours for DNS propagation. Don't worry about your business emails (like mail@yourdomain.com); they'll keep working as usual since they're separate from the forwarding process. You can manage them right from your Wix dashboard.
Forwarding a domain from another provider to a Wix domain
To forward a domain you own with another provider to a Wix domain, log in to your domain registrar’s account and access the forwarding or DNS management settings. Enter your Wix domain as the destination and choose a 301 (permanent) redirect. Save your changes and wait up to 48 hours for DNS propagation. This ensures anyone visiting the old domain automatically reaches your Wix site. If your old domain has email set up, you will need to configure email forwarding separately.
Domain forwarding and SEO
Domain forwarding SEO is a common concern. The impact depends on how you set it up.
A 301 redirect transfers most of your existing SEO value including backlinks and rankings.
A 302 redirect doesn’t transfer ranking power because it signals a temporary change.
Masked forwarding or iframe redirects can hurt SEO since search engines can’t properly crawl the real destination site.
Always test your redirects with tools like Google Search Console or a redirect checker to make sure they work as expected.
Learn more: How to change a domain name
Does domain forwarding affect SEO?
No, a proper 301 redirect won’t hurt your SEO if done right. A 301 redirect is a permanent redirect that tells search engines your old web page has moved to a new URL. When implemented correctly, it transfers most of your traffic and ranking power from the old page to the new one.
To get the most out of your redirect:
Redirect page by page: Don't just redirect everything to your homepage. Make sure each old page points to its new counterpart to keep your content relevant.
Keep your URL structure similar: This helps search engines connect the old and new pages.
Update your internal links: Go through your site and update any old links to the new URLs. This avoids unnecessary redirects.
Avoid redirect chains: A redirect chain is when Page A redirects to Page B which redirects to Page C. This can slow down your site and hurt your ranking.
Domain forwarding and email
Domain forwarding only affects your website traffic not your email. If you forward yourdomain.net to yourdomain.com, it won’t automatically forward emails sent to info@yourdomain.net.
You'll need to set up email domain forwarding separately if you want to forward emails from one domain to another. Most domain hosts or email providers let you create forwarding rules so messages sent to your old domain land in your new inbox.
Learn more: How to make a business email
Troubleshooting your domain forwarding
Redirect not working: DNS updates aren't instant. If your redirect isn't working right away, give it some time. It can take a few hours, so wait at least 48 hours before trying again.
Redirect loop: Ever get stuck in a redirect loop? That's when your forwarding URL sends traffic right back to where it started. Double-check that your destination domain isn't also set to forward to the original one.
HTTPS issues: Running an HTTPS site? Great! Just make sure SSL is active on that target domain. Some browsers can get a bit finicky and block redirects from non-secure pages to secure ones.
Masked forwarding problems: If you're using masked forwarding (that's when an iframe keeps your old domain in the URL bar), your site might look broken or simply not load. Your best bet? Ditch the masking and switch to a 301 redirect instead.
Tracking issues: Are you tracking your site's performance? If you're redirecting, confirm your analytics tools are properly installed on the new destination site. Otherwise, it might look like your traffic vanished when it simply moved.
Learn more:
Domain forwarding and redirecting FAQ
Can I use free domain forwarding?
Some registrars offer free domain forwarding which can be great for simple redirects. However, free services often lack HTTPS support, 301/302 redirect options or email forwarding. Paid forwarding usually provides more control and reliability. Wix doesn't offer free domain forwarding as a standalone feature. But if you connect a domain you already own to your Wix site you can redirect visitors from that domain to your new Wix site.
What is domain forwarding with masking?
Domain forwarding with masking means sending visitors to a new site, but your old domain stays visible in their browser. It hides the destination URL which can confuse search engines. For SEO purposes a standard 301 redirect is usually a better option.
How long does domain forwarding take?
Domain forwarding can start working in minutes, but getting it fully propagated globally can take up to 48 hours. The exact timing varies based on your domain registrar and DNS settings. This means some users might still see the old site for a bit.
How to redirect a domain to another domain?
You can redirect a domain using a 301 permanent redirect at your registrar or hosting provider. Make sure each old page points to its new page to maintain SEO value. Avoid redirecting all traffic to the homepage unless you absolutely have to.
Can I forward a domain to a Wix site?
Yes, you can forward a domain from another provider to your Wix site. Depending on your setup, you can either connect it via name servers or use the pointing method. Just make sure to upgrade your Wix site to a premium plan before you start.
How do I check if a domain is ready to forward?
Check a Whois domain lookup to confirm ownership and domain status. Make sure there are no locks or restrictions on the domain. Doing this beforehand prevents issues during the forwarding setup.
Can I use multiple domains to forward to the same site?
Yes, you can forward multiple domains to a single site. This is great for brand variations or different extensions like .com, .net and .org. All forwarded domains will direct traffic to your main website.