Addon Domain Vs. Parked Domain

In the realm of web hosting, understanding the differences between addon domains and parked domains is crucial for effectively managing your online presence. Both types of domains cater to different purposes and offer unique advantages depending on the specific objectives. 

Whether you are a business owner looking to expand your digital footprint or an individual managing multiple websites, grasping the nuances of addon domains versus parked domains can help you make informed decisions. This article will delve into the definitions, and benefits of each. So, let’s dive into those details.

Addon Domain

An addon domain can be added to your web hosting account as an additional feature. Through an addon domain, you can have more than one independent website that shares the resources of your web hosting account. The addon domain is a fully functional domain that can be created through your control panel. You can make a new website with the addon domain and this website is hosted in a new folder in your hosting account so that you can host multiple domains from your control panel. You can assign email addresses and forwarders to the addon domain and use it in the same way as the primary domain.

Advantages of Add-On Domains

– Cost-Efficient Web Hosting

One of the major advantages of using add-on domains is the cost-efficiency they are offering. By using add-on domains, you can host multiple websites under a single web hosting account. It means you only need to pay for one web hosting plan while still being able to manage several different websites. It makes add-on domains a budget-friendly option for individuals looking into multiple online presences without the need for separate hosting accounts. 

– Simplified Management

Addon domains streamline the management of multiple websites by centralizing control within a single web hosting account. Such simplification allows you to handle all your domains from one dashboard, making it easier to update, monitor, and maintain your websites. Whether you need to install software, manage databases, or configure settings, having everything in one place saves time and reduces the complexity of managing multiple hosting accounts.

– Flexibility and Scalability

Addon domains give you more options for where your online presence can go as you see the need for it. If you are starting new projects, microsites, or whatever they may be then addon domains will give you the ability to easily create another website on your already existing hosting plan. The scalability allows us to grow and change requirements without having to shift from a different hosting environment or live in one domain.

When you create an addon domain:

• A new folder is generated in the public_html directory.
• A subdomain is created for the main primary domain and it is attached to the new folder.
• The new domain name is connected with the subdomain.

For instance, if the primary domain is – ‘mywebsitename.com’ and you assign the addon domain – ‘mywebsiteblog’ to the folder ‘mywebsitename’, the following routes/URLs will be applicable:

• com/mywebsiteblog
• mywebsitename.com
• com

All the three URLs mentioned above will access the same directory and point to the same website. This automatically happens when you assign an addon domain to your account. There is no further action required apart from adding the necessary content to the addon domain.

Parked Domain

A parked domain is an alias of the primary domain. The parked domain points to the same website as the primary domain. This is the concept of having multiple domains and the same website.

For example, if yourwebsite.com is your primary website, you can buy yourwebsite.net as well and assign it as a parked domain. In this case, if a visitor happens to go to yourwebsite.net, that visitor will see the same website as if they would have seen it on yourwebsite.com.

Technically, yourprimarydomain.com/index.htm and parkeddoamin.com/index.htm will direct to the same web page – index.htm.

Advantages of Parked Domains

– Brand Protection

Parked domain is one key advantage of brand protection. By registering and parking multiple variations of the primary domain name, including several extensions (.com, .net, .org) and common misspellings, you can prohibit competitors or cyber hackers from exploiting these variations. Such a strategy ensures all relevant domain names point to the main website. Also, it safeguards the brand’s identity and maintains a consistent online presence. 

– Traffic Redirection

Parked domains are efficient for redirecting traffic to the primary website. If you have any outdated or alternative domain names that are no longer in use but still receive traffic, parking these domains allows you to seamlessly direct visitors to your main website. It ensures that you do not lose potential customers or visitors due to outdated or multiple domain names. It helps to consolidate your web traffic and improve user experience. 

– Marketing and Promotional Campaigns

Parked domains can be strategically used in marketing and promotional campaigns to drive targeted to your main website. By creating memorable and campaign-specific domain names, you can easily redirect visitors to your primary website. The approach is particularly useful for seasonal promotions, event-based campaigns, or geo-targeted marketing initiatives.

When you create a parked domain:

• Domain Pointing: This is the parked domain which is pointed to the same hosting account as your primary domain. 
• DNS configuration: You need to configure the DNS settings of the parked domain to match those of the primary domain. 
• No separate content: Unlike addon domains, parked domains do not have their own separate content or website files. 
• SEO Considerations: While parked domains can help drive additional traffic to your primary website, it’s important to consider the SEO implications. 

Use Cases: Parked domains are often used to secure multiple variations of a domain name.