How to Set up Domain Forwarding

When you send cold emails, prospects might get curious and type your sending domain into their browser. If you forward that domain to your main website, they’ll end up on your site instead of seeing a blank page.

Domain Forwarding Step-by-Step

1) For Google Workspace (Google Domains)

If your domain was purchased recently with Google Workspace, it’s managed by Squarespace Domains, so you’ll need to log in to Squarespace to set up forwarding. 

For older Google Domains accounts, you may still see the option inside the Workspace Admin Console.

For Google Domains purchased before September 2023

Here’s how to set up domain forwarding:

1. Log in to the Google Workspace Admin Console.
   
   

2. Go to Manage → Website → Forward Domain (if available).
   
   

3. Enter the forwarding details (URL, redirect type, SSL, path handling).
   
   

4. Save the changes.

Propagation may take up to 24–48 hours to complete.

For Google Domains purchased after September 2023

1. Open the Squarespace Domains dashboard.
   

2. Navigate to Website → Domain Forwarding Rules → Add Rule.
   

3. Enter the forwarding details (URL, redirect type, SSL, path handling).
   

4. Save the changes.
   

Propagation may take up to 24–48 hours to complete.

2) For GoDaddy Domain Forwarding

Here’s how to do it:

• Sign in and access your Domain Portfolio.
  
  

• Select the specific domain for which you want to set up forwarding.
  
  

• Go to the DNS tab, then scroll to Forwarding.
  
  

• Click Add Forwarding and choose whether to forward the root domain (e.g., “example.com”) or a subdomain (e.g., “blog.example.com”).
  
  

• Enter the destination URL, then select either http:// or https://. GoDaddy now automatically applies HTTPS forwarding for additional security.
  

3) Namecheap URL Redirect Setup

Here’s how to do it:

• Log in to Namecheap and go to the Domains section.
  
  

• Access your domain’s settings and locate the URL Redirect or Redirect Domain options.
  
  

• Enter the destination URL for the forwarding.
  
  

• Choose the redirect behavior (typically 301 permanent redirect, or 302 temporary).
  
  

• Save the changes.

Additional Tips & Troubleshooting Notes

• Redirect Types: Use 301 for permanent redirects (best for SEO), or 302 for temporary ones.
  
  

• SSL/HTTPS Support:
  
  

  • GoDaddy handles HTTPS automatically.
    
    

  • Google allows enabling SSL for forwarding.
    
    

  • Namecheap depends on the domain’s SSL configuration.
    
    

• Path Forwarding:
  
  

  • Google allows enabling or disabling forwarding of URL paths (recommended to disable by default for cleanliness).
    
    

  • GoDaddy and Namecheap redirect the full URL (unless advanced options exist).
    
    

• DNS Propagation: Redirects can take up to 24 hours to fully propagate.
  
  

• Troubleshooting:
  
  

  • Double-check for typos in destination URLs.
    
    

  • Ensure there are no conflicting DNS entries (e.g., A-records, CNAMEs) that might block the redirect.
    
    

  • Confirm HTTPS availability at the destination to avoid security warnings.