How to Forward a Domain in DreamHost

Domain forwarding is a helpful way to redirect traffic from one domain to another. Whether you own multiple domain names or want to send visitors from an old URL to a new one, forwarding ensures that anyone visiting the original address ends up in the right place.

If your domain is registered or hosted with DreamHost, setting up domain forwarding is quick and easy. In this guide, we’ll explain what domain forwarding is, why you might use it, and exactly how to configure it through the DreamHost panel.

What Is Domain Forwarding?

Domain forwarding, also known as domain redirection, is the process of pointing one domain name to another. When someone visits the original domain, they are automatically redirected to the target URL.

There are two common types of forwarding:

• 301 Redirect (Permanent): Tells search engines the domain has permanently moved. Ideal for SEO.
• 302 Redirect (Temporary): Used when the redirect is not permanent. Not typically recommended for long-term use.

DreamHost supports both types through its custom .htaccess file or web panel settings, depending on your hosting plan.

Common Use Cases for Domain Forwarding

Here are a few examples of when you might want to forward a domain:

• Redirect yourcompany.net to yourcompany.com
• Forward an old domain name to a newly rebranded site
• Point multiple versions of a domain (with and without “www”) to a single URL
• Send traffic from a typo-prone domain to the correct one
• Direct a campaign-specific domain (e.g., summerdeals.com) to a landing page

Regardless of the purpose, domain forwarding helps consolidate traffic and maintain a smooth user experience.

Method 1: Forward a Domain Using DreamHost’s Redirect Tool

If your domain is registered with DreamHost and not hosted (meaning there’s no active website or hosting plan), you can use the built-in domain redirect tool.

Step 1: Log in to DreamHost Panel

Visit panel.dreamhost.com and log in with your DreamHost credentials.

Step 2: Go to “Manage Websites”

In the left sidebar, click on Websites → Manage Websites.

Step 3: Click “Add Hosting to a Domain / Sub-Domain”

Find the domain you want to forward and click Add Hosting next to it. Instead of choosing a hosting plan, look for the Redirect Domain option.

Step 4: Configure the Redirect

You’ll see a section labeled Redirect to URL. Enter the full destination URL you want visitors to land on, such as:

https://www.yournewdomain.com

DreamHost will automatically set up a 301 redirect.

Step 5: Save and Wait for DNS Propagation

Click Redirect this domain. DNS changes may take a few minutes to propagate, after which the redirect will be active.

Method 2: Forward a Hosted Domain Using .htaccess (Advanced)

If your domain is fully hosted with DreamHost (meaning it has web hosting attached), you can manually set up a redirect by editing the .htaccess file.

Step 1: Access the .htaccess File

• Connect to your website using FTP or the DreamHost File Manager
• Navigate to the root directory of the domain
• Open or create a file called .htaccess

Step 2: Add Redirect Rules

To create a 301 redirect, add the following code to the top of your .htaccess file:

RewriteEngine On
RewriteCond %{HTTP_HOST} ^olddomain\.com$ [OR]
RewriteCond %{HTTP_HOST} ^www\.olddomain\.com$
RewriteRule ^(.*)$ https://www.newdomain.com/$1 [R=301,L]

Replace olddomain.com with the domain you are forwarding and newdomain.com with the destination.

Save the file and upload it if you’re using FTP. The redirect will take effect immediately.

Method 3: Redirect Specific Pages or Subdirectories

If you want to forward only certain parts of your site, such as a specific page or folder, you can add a targeted redirect in your .htaccess file:

Redirect 301 /old-page https://www.newdomain.com/new-page

This sends traffic from olddomain.com/old-page to newdomain.com/new-page.

Domain Forwarding Without Hosting

If your domain is only registered with DreamHost and you don’t want to pay for web hosting just to set up a redirect, use the Redirect Only option described in Method 1. This is a cost-effective way to forward traffic without maintaining a website.

Redirecting With or Without “www”

DreamHost’s redirect tool automatically includes both www and non-www versions. If you’re using a manual .htaccess setup, make sure to account for both to avoid inconsistent behavior.

Domain Forwarding and SEO

Using a 301 redirect helps preserve SEO value from the old domain to the new one. Search engines understand that content has permanently moved, and they will eventually transfer ranking signals to the new URL.

Here are a few SEO tips:

• Always use full URLs when redirecting, including the protocol (https://)
• Avoid redirect chains (redirecting A → B → C)
• Use 301 for permanent redirects; avoid 302 unless temporary
• Check for broken links after migration

Testing and Troubleshooting

After setting up the redirect:

• Clear your browser cache
• Visit the original domain to confirm it redirects correctly
• Use tools like httpstatus.io or browser developer tools to verify the redirect type

If the redirect is not working:

• Double-check DNS records in your DreamHost panel
• Make sure you entered the correct destination URL
• Check that the .htaccess file is in the right directory and has the correct syntax
• Confirm that hosting is not overriding your redirect (e.g., WordPress settings)

Conclusion

Forwarding a domain with DreamHost is a simple but powerful way to manage your online presence. Whether you’re migrating to a new site, consolidating brand names, or redirecting traffic from related domains, DreamHost offers flexible tools to set up redirects with or without hosting.

You can use the panel’s redirect feature for quick domain-level forwarding or apply more advanced control through .htaccess if you’re managing a hosted WordPress site. With the right setup, domain forwarding can help improve user experience, retain SEO value, and simplify domain management.

For more tutorials on DreamHost, WordPress configuration, and domain management, continue exploring KnowbaseWP.