How to Redirect Domains and URLs in cPanel

Managing domain redirects is an essential task for anyone running a website. Whether you’re moving to a new domain, restructuring your site, or simply directing traffic from one URL to another, redirects ensure visitors and search engines reach the right place. If you’re hosting with cPanel, setting up redirects is simple and doesn’t require technical coding knowledge. This guide will walk you through why redirects are important, the types of redirects available, and the step-by-step process of configuring them in cPanel.

Why Redirects Matter

Redirects are more than just a convenience. They are crucial for:

  • User experience – Visitors don’t encounter broken links.

  • SEO (Search Engine Optimization) – Proper redirects ensure your site retains ranking power when URLs change.

  • Branding – If you have multiple domains, redirects can consolidate them into one main site.

For example, if you own both mywebsite.com and mybusiness.com, you can redirect all traffic from mybusiness.com to mywebsite.com.

Types of Redirects in cPanel

When setting up a redirect, you’ll typically choose between these two main types:

  1. 301 Permanent Redirect

    • Tells browsers and search engines that the page has permanently moved.

    • Best for SEO because it passes ranking power to the new URL.

    • Example: Redirecting an old blog post URL to a new updated version.

  2. 302 Temporary Redirect

    • Informs that the move is only temporary.

    • Doesn’t pass SEO ranking permanently.

    • Example: Redirecting traffic during a limited-time campaign.

Step 1: Log into cPanel

  1. Open your hosting provider’s login page and access cPanel.

  2. Use your hosting account credentials.

  3. Once logged in, scroll to the Domains section.

Step 2: Locate the Redirects Tool

  • Click on the Redirects icon in the Domains section.

  • This will open the redirect configuration page where you can create new rules.

Step 3: Choose the Redirect Type

  • In the Type dropdown, select either Permanent (301) or Temporary (302) depending on your needs.

  • Permanent is the most commonly used option.

Step 4: Select the Domain and URL

  • From the https?://(www.)? dropdown, choose the domain you want to redirect.

  • In the next field, enter the specific page or path. For example:

    • If you want to redirect mywebsite.com/oldpage to another page, type oldpage.

Step 5: Enter the Destination URL

  • In the “Redirects to” field, type the full URL where you want visitors to go.

  • Example: https://www.mywebsite.com/newpage.

Step 6: Redirect with or without “www.”

  • You can choose how the redirect handles www:

    • Only redirect with www

    • Redirect with or without www (recommended in most cases)

Step 7: Enable Wildcard Redirect (Optional)

If you want to redirect all files in a directory to the same files in a new directory, enable Wildcard Redirect.

  • Example: Redirecting mywebsite.com/store/* to mynewsite.com/shop/*.

Step 8: Save and Test

  • Click Add to save your redirect rule.

  • Test it by visiting the original URL in a browser to ensure it redirects correctly.

Managing Existing Redirects

  • In the same cPanel Redirects interface, scroll down to view active redirects.

  • You can edit or remove rules at any time.

  • Always double-check after removing a redirect to avoid broken links.

Best Practices for Using Redirects

  • Keep it simple – Don’t chain multiple redirects; it slows down load times.

  • Use 301 for permanent moves – It’s better for SEO.

  • Update internal links – Instead of relying solely on redirects, update menus, footers, and content with new URLs.

  • Avoid redirect loops – Ensure URL A doesn’t redirect back to itself via URL B.

Conclusion

Redirects are a powerful tool to manage traffic, preserve SEO value, and maintain a smooth user experience when your site structure changes. Thanks to cPanel, setting them up is straightforward and doesn’t require deep technical knowledge. By following the steps above and using best practices, you’ll keep both visitors and search engines happy while maintaining control over your domain traffic.