Setting Up Domain Aliases and Add-ons

This article explains how to set up domain aliases and add-on domains so multiple web addresses point to your Web60 website.

What Are Domain Aliases and Add-ons

A domain alias (also called a parked domain) makes a second domain name show the exact same website as your main domain. For example, if someone visits either yourbusiness.ie or yourbusiness.com, they see the same website.

An add-on domain creates a completely separate website using a different domain name, but hosted in the same Web60 account. This lets you run multiple different websites from one account.

Setting Up a Domain Alias

1. Connect your additional domain to Web60 first by updating the domain nameservers to point to Web60's servers

2. Log into your Web60 portal at portal.web60.ie using your account email and password

3. Click "Domain Management" in the left menu, then select "Domain Aliases"

4. Click "Add Domain Alias" and type your additional domain name (like yourbusiness.com)

5. Select your main website from the dropdown menu - this is where visitors will see your content

6. Click "Add Alias" to save the settings

The alias typically takes 1-4 hours to start working. Both domain names will now show identical content.

Setting Up an Add-on Domain

1. Connect your additional domain using the same nameserver process as above

2. Go to "Domain Management" then "Add-on Domains" in your Web60 portal

3. Click "Create Add-on Domain" and enter your domain name

4. Choose a folder name - this creates a separate folder for your new website's files

5. Set a password for the new website's WordPress admin area

6. Click "Create Domain" to build the new website

Web60 will install a fresh WordPress website for your add-on domain. You can customise it separately from your main website.

Managing Multiple Domains

Each add-on domain gets its own WordPress admin area. To access it, go to yournewdomain.com/wp-admin and use the password you created.

You can manage all your domains from the Web60 portal. This includes checking domain expiry dates and setting up domain redirects if needed.

If you're still stuck with domain aliases or add-ons, contact Web60 support through the portal. Include your domain names and describe what you're trying to achieve.

FAQ

Q: What's the difference between a domain alias and an add-on domain?

A: A domain alias shows the same website content as your main domain. An add-on domain creates a completely separate website with its own content and WordPress installation.

Q: How many domain aliases can I add?

A: You can add up to 10 domain aliases to point to your main website. Each one will show identical content to your visitors.

Q: Do I need to buy domains through Web60?

A: No, you can use domains purchased anywhere. You just need to update the nameservers to point to Web60's servers before adding them as aliases or add-ons.

Q: Why isn't my domain alias working?

A: Domain aliases take 1-4 hours to activate after adding them. If it's been longer, check that your domain's nameservers are correctly pointing to Web60.

Q: Can I move an existing website to an add-on domain?

A: Yes, but you'll need to manually transfer your content. Add-on domains start with a fresh WordPress installation, so you'll need to rebuild or import your existing site.

Q: Will domain aliases affect my search rankings?

A: Multiple domains showing identical content can sometimes confuse search engines. Consider using redirects instead of aliases if SEO is important for your business.

Q: Can I set up email for my domain aliases?

A: Email setup depends on your domain registrar, not Web60. You'll need to configure email forwarding through whoever you bought the domain from.