How to redirect a subdomain to an external URL in Plesk

1 How to redirect a subdomain to an external URL in Plesk

Redirecting a subdomain to an external URL in Plesk is a common task, useful for guiding users to a different webpage or domain. This process involves setting up a redirect rule for the subdomain. Here’s how you can do it:

Step 1: Log into Plesk

Access Plesk Panel:
- Open your web browser and navigate to your Plesk login URL, typically https://yourserverip:8443 or https://yourdomain.com:8443.
- Enter your Plesk username and password to log in.

Step 2: Navigate to Subdomain Settings

Go to Subdomains:
- Once logged in, go to the “Websites & Domains” tab.
- Scroll to the subdomain you want to redirect. If you haven’t already created the subdomain, you’ll need to create it first by clicking on “Add Subdomain” and filling in the necessary details.

Step 3: Set Up the Redirect

Subdomain Hosting Settings:
- Click on the subdomain to access its settings.
- Look for the “Hosting Settings” option and click on it.
Change Hosting Type:
- In the hosting settings, you might need to change the hosting type to “Forwarding” if it’s set to something else. This option is usually found in a dropdown menu labeled “Hosting type” or similar.
Configure Forwarding:
- Set the forwarding type to “Standard forwarding” or “Frame forwarding” based on your preference.
  - Standard Forwarding: Redirects the subdomain to the external URL, and the URL in the browser’s address bar changes to the external URL.
  - Frame Forwarding: Keeps the subdomain in the browser’s address bar while displaying the content of the external URL.
- In the “Destination address” field, enter the full URL (including http:// or https://) to which you want the subdomain to redirect.

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Step 4: Apply and Save Changes

Save the Settings:
- Click on the “OK” or “Apply” button to save your changes.
- The subdomain will now redirect to the specified external URL.

Step 5: Test the Redirect

Test the Redirect:
- It’s important to test the redirect to ensure it’s working as expected. Open a web browser and navigate to your subdomain.
- Verify that it redirects correctly to the external URL.

Best Practices and Considerations

Propagation Time: DNS changes can take some time to propagate. If the redirect doesn’t work immediately, wait a few hours and try again.
SEO Implications: Be aware of the SEO implications of redirects, especially if you’re using frame forwarding.
SSL Certificates: If your subdomain is served over HTTPS, ensure that you have a valid SSL certificate to avoid security warnings in browsers.

Conclusion

Redirecting a subdomain to an external URL in Plesk is a useful feature for website management and can be done easily through the Plesk control panel. By following these steps, you can set up a redirect from a subdomain to any external webpage, enhancing your site’s navigation and user experience.