Set up External Domains with Web Hosting Providers

An attractive web presence - whether it is a company website or an online shop - significantly increases its reach when made accessible through more than one external domain. This can be easily and uncomplicatedly achieved through an IP forwarding on the used nameserver, which can usually be set up conveniently via a web interface. The time required for this is minimal compared to an average domain comparison and brings a concrete, practical benefit. With most providers such as Webgo, 1&1 Ionos, Strato, or All-Inkl., an external domain can be activated through clear web interfaces.

How to connect an external domain to an existing website?

There are numerous different reasons to expand an online presence with an external domain. Some of the most important ones are:

• Expansion with new content, topics, or formats (e.g. forums or blogs)
• Targeting new audiences
• Increasing reach after a domain comparison
• Using new TLDs with regional or thematic reference to the main site
• Early establishment of a reputation for new projects
• Consolidating multiple previously separate websites into one presence
• Acquisition of a high-quality domain with high popularity or existing user base

Depending on the situation, it may be necessary to transfer content, migrate users, and update databases. When registering a new domain after a domain comparison, there are no concerns about changing the nameservers - the IP forwarding can be set up immediately after the purchase is confirmed. However, an external domain that was previously in use will no longer be accessible after an IP forwarding. With IP forwarding, all requests to the external domain are redirected to your own site. Therefore, it is necessary to integrate the content into the existing website if it is to remain available to users. For this purpose, the IP forwarding can point to a subdomain such as Name.Domain.TLD or to a subdirectory Domain.TLD/name.

How does IP forwarding for an external domain work?

A domain name is managed by a nameserver, which provides the computer with the machine-readable IP address when requested. In this nameserver, an additional IP forwarding can be set up at any time, provided the user is authorised to configure the relevant domain. In this case, the information is added that, for example, Name1.TLD points to the IP address of Name2.TLD and accesses its content. Providers such as Strato, 1&1 Ionos, Webgo, or All-Inkl. have their own nameservers that manage their network. They are made accessible to their customers via the web interface for booked domains and can be varied as needed to change an existing IP forwarding or add a new external domain. Each nameserver periodically updates its information and synchronises it with other nameservers. For this reason, a change may take up to 24 hours to take effect globally.

What restrictions apply to an external domain for IP forwarding?

For each new external domain, a separate IP forwarding must be set up. The number of these is not limited - therefore, an unlimited number of combinations of names and Top Level Domains (TLD) can point to a single website. However, the user must, of course, own the corresponding domain - meaning it must be registered in their name with the relevant company after a domain comparison, or they must have the necessary authorisation code (Auth-Code) for a transfer. This code allows domains to be transferred relatively easily and quickly between different registrars such as Strato, Webgo, or 1&1 Ionos.

What are the benefits of IP forwarding for an external domain?

By using IP forwarding via the nameserver, a website can be accessed under many different internet addresses. This method is very popular for improving the availability, recognition, reach, and Search Engine Optimization (SEO) of the domain after comparing domains, using attractive and memorable names. The name of a domain is generally considered an important criterion for the ranking of search engines like Google. Combining an industry-specific keyword with multiple TLD extensions is therefore suitable for optimally placing a service or product range in search results.

In addition, IP forwarding and a suitable external domain allow for targeting a specific audience. This enables, for example, regionalisation through the parallel use of .berlin, .de, .eu, and .com, or industry-specific specialisation through new TLDs like .shop or .marketing. Companies can optimally link their existing online presence with relevant names provided by the new extensions.

What costs are incurred by IP forwarding and an external domain?

IP forwarding itself is usually free of charge, and changes and entries in a nameserver can be made at any time without additional fees. The ongoing costs primarily arise from the registration of the internet address - additional expenses for web space do not arise as an existing website is used. Depending on the TLD, the actual fees range from a few euros to several hundred euros per year and vary between different providers such as Strato or 1&1 Ionos, solely based on their registration fees and possibly additional services.

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