Several domains for one website: plan useful name variants

1. Give every additional domain a job

Before searching, write down why someone would use the extra address. An old name after a rebrand may still appear in printed material; another spelling may already be used in profiles. These are concrete reasons. A long list of hypothetical typing errors without an identifiable use is harder to maintain. Assign a purpose and intended destination to each option. If you cannot explain both, you may not need it. More registered names also mean more dates and checks, rather than an automatically better website. Investigate possible naming rights separately from technical availability, and keep a note of your decision.

2. Choose one main address

Choose the address that should appear on your homepage, in signatures, profiles and printed material. A .at address may suit a project connected with Austria; the ending identifies Austria. Other variants should support that choice rather than repeatedly presenting a different main address. Write down which names should permanently lead to the same project and which might serve a different offering. An additional domain is a separate registration, not a free subfolder or a subdomain of your first address. Check availability and successful registration for each complete name individually. Keep the address you communicate consistent.

3. Compare ongoing total costs

A standard new .at domain at atdomain.at currently costs €12.99 total price for the first year and €15.99 total price per further annual renewal. Two different .at names are charged separately. The table includes domain costs only at unchanged current prices; it is not a bundle and does not guarantee future prices. Website, redirect or mail services may charge separately. Budget for administration time as well. If an address is not being used, review its purpose before the next renewal rather than quietly adding more names every year. Discuss any required steps and deadlines with support in good time.

• *Per domain: registration plus two renewals, assuming unchanged current prices.
• Additional services are excluded from this calculation.

4. Separate DNS from a website redirect

A DNS record helps resolve a name. A CNAME identifies an alias for another hostname; it does not instruct the browser to change the visible address to a particular page. Website redirection needs an appropriate HTTP response from a web service. The standards distinguish permanent and temporary redirects, among others. Arrange the configuration that fits your use case. Do not enter a complete page URL with a path into a CNAME destination field. Before buying an extra domain, check whether your website service supports additional domains and the redirect you need, including any extra cost.

5. Plan destination pages, HTTPS and existing links

Not every additional address needs to lead to the homepage. If an old name points to a particular event or project, the relevant destination may be more useful. Record where important existing paths should go rather than sending every request blindly to the same general page. Check that any required query parameters survive. For an HTTPS visit, the first address contacted must already support a valid secure connection before the redirect takes effect. Test the extra domain itself, not just the final destination. Avoid loops and unnecessary intermediate redirects. Configure these at a suitable web service; a domain order does not set them up automatically.

6. Decide about email separately for each name

Should messages sent to the second domain arrive too? A website redirect does not answer that question. A mail service must support the extra domain and intended addresses; separate settings, verification and charges may be required. Do not add guessed mail values when you only want to connect a website. If an old domain has been used for contact, plan continued reception before changing its configuration. Test the intended mail addresses in both directions. atdomain.at does not currently sell email mailboxes or hosting. DNS management does not replace the mailbox you need at your chosen mail service.

7. Keep a small domain inventory

For a few names, a simple list can record the domain, purpose, main destination, website service, intended mail use and next relevant date. Also note who has account access and where the current instructions are stored. Keep passwords separately and securely. After a new order, check confirmation and registration status before publishing the address. A search result or basket does not reserve a name. Later, after changing the website or nameservers, check each variant again. atdomain.at currently has no automatic renewal or automatic card charge, so arrange renewal through support in good time. Do not rely on an unreviewed calendar reminder alone.

8. Start with the smallest useful selection

Do not register every possible variant out of habit. One clear main domain with a maintained website is a useful starting point. Add another address once you have defined its purpose, connection and recurring costs. Then test the complete visitor journey from another device: entered address, secure connection, redirect, destination page and any contact address. With the default nameservers, manage DNS in your atdomain.at account; with custom nameservers, edit the active zone there. Our help center supports questions about registration and domain connections. Follow your web service’s instructions for the actual redirect feature, rather than assuming it comes with the domain.