How to Add a Domain Alias in Plesk

A domain alias is an alternative domain name that points to the same website as your main domain. For example, if your main site is yourdomain.com, you can set up yourdomain.net and yourdomain.org as aliases. Visitors who type any of these addresses will see the same website. This guide explains how to create and manage domain aliases in Plesk.

Common Uses for Domain Aliases

• Pointing multiple TLDs to the same site (e.g., .com, .net, .org).
• Redirecting common misspellings to your main domain.
• Maintaining access to your old domain name after changing your primary domain.

Adding a Domain Alias

1. Log in to Plesk.
2. Go to Websites & Domains.
3. Click Add Domain Alias.
4. Fill in the required fields:
   • Domain alias name: Enter the domain name to use as an alias (e.g., yourdomain.net).
   • Sync DNS zone with the primary domain: Check this to keep DNS records synchronized between the alias and the main domain.
   • Mail: Check this if you want the alias to also handle email for the same mailboxes.
   • Web: Check this if you want the alias to serve the same website content (keep this checked).
   • Redirect with the HTTP 301 code: Enable a permanent redirect from the alias to the main domain (recommended for SEO).
5. Click OK.

Setting Up DNS for the Alias

After creating the alias in Plesk, you need to configure DNS at your domain registrar:

1. Log in to your domain registrar for the alias domain.
2. Point the alias domain DNS to the same nameservers as your main domain.
3. Alternatively, set an A record for the alias pointing to your Plesk server IP address.
4. Wait for DNS propagation (up to 48 hours).

Important Notes

• A domain alias does not have its own website content — it shares the content of the main domain.
• You need a separate registered domain name for each alias.
• Using a 301 redirect is recommended for SEO to avoid duplicate content issues.
• Removing a domain alias does not cancel the domain registration.

Troubleshooting

Alias domain shows a different website or error page:

• Verify the DNS records at your registrar point to the correct server IP.
• Check that the alias was created under the correct main domain.

SSL certificate does not cover the alias:

• You need an SSL certificate that includes the alias domain name (a multi-domain/SAN certificate or a separate certificate for the alias).
• Contact your hosting provider about adding the alias to your SSL certificate.