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Adding a pointer domain for the primary domain name

A pointer domain — or a parked domain — allows you to have multiple domain names display the content of your site. Let's review pointer domains and adding them for a Nexcess-hosted site.
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5 min read

Overview

A pointer domain is often called parked domain — essentially just an alias for the primary domain name that presents visitors with the same content. It allows for more flexibility and ensures your website can be loaded by typing more than just one domain name in the browser.

Pointer domains have been there for long enough to become widely used. Most businesses use pointer domains to present their visitors with more options to find them online while redirecting traffic to the main website. For example, you will be taken to the official Nexcess website by typing both Nexcess.com and Nexcess.net in your browser, but the .com domain name will redirect you to the .net version, the primary Nexcess domain name.

How to use pointer domains

Pointer domains can be used when you would like visitors to be able to open your website using different domain names. There is no limit to the number of aliases to the primary domain and no rules for choosing the pointer domain name.

When registering a domain name, remember that — for example — your-business.com, your-business.net, the same domain with the .org, or any other domain extension are all different domain names that need to be purchased and registered separately. The same domain name but using a different extension can even be potentially used by another online business, although the legal side of it will need to be taken into consideration. Many businesses associate their website with a few domain names using different extensions to ensure nobody else can use their second-level domain.

What to know when using pointer domains

The two crucial things to keep in mind when using pointer domains are:

  1. Pointer domain registration
  2. the Domain Name System (DNS)

It may seem like a pointer domain name is simply an alias and not a separate domain with the only difference is that it loads the exact same content as the primary domain name. However, these two points below are important to understand.

1. Pointer domain registration

Pointer domains need to be registered the same way you registered the primary domain name, which means there will be all the same registration fees and domain renewal rules and procedures. Although, you can register a pointer domain with another domain registrar; it does not necessarily need to be the primary domain’s registrar.

2. Domain Name System (DNS)

The Domain Name System (DNS) plays a key role in the pointer domain setup. After a new domain has been registered, adding Nexcess nameservers as the authoritative will allow you to manage DNS from here. As a pointer domain is an alias to the primary domain name and is designed to load the same content, it needs to resolve to the same server.

Step by step instructions

  1. Log in to my.nexcess.net.
  2. Open the managed hosting plan you wish to work with. From the main menu after using the Plans option, you can find the WordPress, WooCommerce, or Magento portal and dashboard. Click the name of the plan that you want to work with.
  3. Choose the website for which you need to add a pointer domain from your hosting plan sites menu and the click the domain name. You will arrive at the Credentials page.

You can modify the primary domain name or add a pointer domain from the domains area of the user interface in the Nexcess Client Portal, which you can choose from the menu on the left side of the screen. This menu area will not show you all website management options so you must click the Show More button to view them all.

  1. Then, select the Domains menu option.
  2. The Pointer Domains area in the screenshot shown allows you to add and remove pointer domains:
The Pointer Domains area in the screenshot shown allows you to add and remove pointer domains.
  1. Click the Plus button on the right side of the interface to add a new pointer domain.
  2. A new Add Pointer Domain window will open, allowing you to enter the new pointer domain name. The Type field for the pointer domain should be set to the value of Alias/CNAME, which is the only option available.
  3. Click the Submit button, and the new pointer domain will be added to your website. You can delete an existing parked domain by clicking the three dots on the right and choosing Delete.

Once you have added a new pointer domain, it is time to test it. First, open the new alias URL in the browser to ensure it loads the website content you added the pointer domain to. You should allow some time for Domain Name System (DNS) propagation which can take up to 48 hours. If the new pointer domain does not load the right content or throws some error messages, you may need to double-check whether everything has been set up correctly.

Conclusion

Pointer domains can help you drive traffic to your website using a few different domain names to load its content. Most online businesses use the same second-level domain with a different extension as a pointer domain, but there are no strict rules when choosing a new domain for this purpose.

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