The www prefix in your website’s domain name (e.g., www.yourdomain.com vs. yourdomain.com) is often a matter of preference, but it can also impact how users and search engines access your site. Choosing whether to use the www prefix or not is part of your domain’s configuration and can affect SEO, branding, and user experience. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to enable or disable the www prefix using OzSpeed hPanel.
Step 1: Access Domain Settings in hPanel #
To begin configuring the www prefix, navigate to the Domain Settings in hPanel.
- Log in to hPanel at ozspeed.com.au.
- Go to Website Settings > Domain Management.
- Select your domain from the list.
Tip: #
- Decide whether you prefer using the www prefix or the non-www version based on branding and user familiarity.
Step 2: Navigate to the Redirects Section #
You can manage the www prefix settings using the Redirects or Domain Aliases section.
How to Access Redirects: #
- Click on the Redirects or Aliases tab in the Domain Management settings.
- Look for the option to configure the www and non-www versions of your domain.
Tip: #
- Using a 301 redirect is recommended if you’re changing from www to non-www (or vice versa) to maintain SEO value and avoid duplicate content issues.
Step 3: Enable or Disable the www Prefix #
Choose whether to enable or disable the www prefix based on your preference.
How to Enable the www Prefix: #
- Select the Enable www option in the settings.
- Set the www version as your primary domain (e.g., www.yourdomain.com).
- Click Apply and Save.
How to Disable the www Prefix: #
- Select the Disable www option or set the non-www version (e.g., yourdomain.com) as your primary domain.
- Click Apply and Save.
Tip: #
- Consistency is key. Choose one version (www or non-www) and stick with it across your website and marketing materials.
Step 4: Set Up a 301 Redirect #
If you’ve changed your preference, set up a 301 redirect to automatically guide users from the old version to the new one. This helps preserve SEO rankings and prevents broken links.
How to Set Up a 301 Redirect: #
- Go to Website Settings > Redirects.
- Add a new redirect rule:
- From: Non-www version (e.g., yourdomain.com)
- To: www version (e.g., www.yourdomain.com), or vice versa.
- Choose 301 (Permanent Redirect).
- Click Save.
Tip: #
- A 301 redirect signals to search engines that the change is permanent and consolidates your website’s SEO authority.
Step 5: Update DNS Settings #
To ensure that your www and non-www versions work correctly, update your DNS records.
How to Update DNS Records: #
- Go to Domain Management > DNS Settings in hPanel.
- Add or update the following records:
- CNAME Record for the www version pointing to your root domain (e.g., www.yourdomain.com → yourdomain.com).
- A Record for the non-www version pointing to your server’s IP address.
- Click Save Changes.
Tip: #
- DNS changes may take up to 24 hours to propagate across the internet.
Step 6: Verify the Configuration #
After making the changes, verify that your preferred version (www or non-www) is working correctly.
How to Verify: #
- Open your website in a browser using both the www and non-www versions.
- Ensure that both versions redirect to your preferred domain without errors.
- Use tools like Google Search Console or Redirect Checker to confirm the 301 redirect is working properly.
Tip: #
- Clear your browser cache and DNS cache to see the updated configuration.
Step 7: Update Your Site Settings and Marketing Materials #
Ensure that your website settings, internal links, and marketing materials reflect your preferred domain version.
How to Update: #
- Go to Website Settings > General Settings in hPanel and update the Site URL to match your preferred version.
- Update any internal links, social media profiles, and marketing assets to use the correct version (www or non-www).
- Resubmit your sitemap to Google Search Console to reflect the updated domain preference.
Tip: #
- Consistency across all platforms helps avoid confusion and maintains your website’s SEO value.
Troubleshooting Tips #
- Redirect Loop Error:
- Check your redirect settings to ensure there’s no conflicting rule causing a loop. Only one 301 redirect should be set up between the www and non-www versions.
- DNS Propagation Delay:
- It can take up to 24-48 hours for DNS changes to propagate fully. Be patient and use a DNS checker tool to monitor the status.
- Mixed Content Warning:
- If your website uses HTTPS, ensure that your SSL certificate covers both the www and non-www versions to avoid mixed content errors.
Additional Tips: #
- Set a Preferred Domain in Google Search Console: Indicate your preferred domain (www or non-www) in Google Search Console to help search engines understand your choice.
- Avoid Duplicate Content: Using both www and non-www versions without a redirect can create duplicate content issues, harming your SEO.
- Test Regularly: Periodically test your website’s URLs to ensure the correct version is being used and redirects are working properly.
