Aliases and redirects serve the purpose of guiding visitors to a different page on your website, yet they differ in their end results and how they're perceived by both users and search engines.
Aliases maintain the original URL (example.org) in the browser's address bar while displaying the content from another URL (example.com). To set up a domain alias in Hostyt, simply access cPanel, navigate to the Domain section, and in the new screen, proceed to add new Aliases under the Create a New Domain section. The primary drawback of using aliases is the potential splitting of website traffic between the original and alias URLs, which could negatively impact website analytics and SEO.
Redirects, in contrast, change the URL in the browser's address bar, directing visitors from one domain to another (e.g., from example.org to example.com). This ensures a unified site traffic flow and maintains consistency for analytics and SEO purposes. However, when implementing redirects, especially for permanent site moves, you may encounter broken links or images, which will require manual correction.
To establish a redirect in Hostyt, add the domain as an addon domain through the Domains section and then proceed to Redirects. From there, select the URL you wish to redirect from and finalize the process by clicking the Add button.
This guide aims to clarify the distinctions between domain aliases and redirects, assisting you in making an informed decision on which to use based on your website’s needs.