Domain Masking: What It Is and How Does It Work?

Why Use Domain Masking?

Domain masking is essential for businesses, email marketers, and agencies to:

• It maintains control over your brand’s online appearance by keeping your primary domain hidden during campaigns, safeguarding it from exposure or misuse.
  
  
• A clean, branded URL improves credibility and boosts click-through rates, unlike random or generic domains that may deter users.
  
  
• Masking helps prevent malicious actors from using your original domain for spam or phishing, protecting your reputation.

Also Read: Inbox Rotation [Email Rotation]: How it Helps in Email Deliverability

Domain Masking vs. URL Forwarding

While both methods redirect users, they function differently. Here's a comparison:

As you can see, domain masking offers more control over your branding, enhances user experience, and reduces the risk of being flagged as spam.

Now that you understand how domain masking works, let’s dive into how you can implement it for your own website and email campaigns.

Keep reading to learn how to set it up effectively!

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Steps to Set Up Domain Masking:

1. Choose a Domain Registrar that Supports Domain Masking

‍Not all domain registrars offer domain masking services, so the first step is to pick one that does.

Look for a registrar that provides both domain forwarding and masking as part of their DNS management tools. 

Some popular domain registrars to check include GoDaddy, Namecheap, and Bluehost.

In our case we have used Godaddy;

2. Configure DNS Settings to Enable URL Forwarding with Masking

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After picking your registrar, the next step is configuring the DNS settings for URL forwarding with masking. Here’s how to do it:

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• Access your domain’s DNS settings: Go to your domain management page and find the section for DNS settings.
• Set up URL forwarding: You’ll typically find an option like "URL Forwarding" or "Forwarding Settings." Click on it to add a new forwarding rule.
• Enter the original URL: In the URL forwarding setup, you’ll input the original website URL that you want to mask.
• Enter the destination URL: Then, specify the domain you want your visitors to see—the masked domain.
• Select ‘Masking’ option: Make sure you choose "Masking" (instead of "Forwarding") to keep the masked domain visible in the browser’s address bar.

This will ensure that when visitors land on the page, they only see the masked URL, not the original one.

3. Add Metadata (Titles, Descriptions, and Keywords) for the Masked Domain

Even though visitors see the masked domain, search engines still crawl the original content. To help with SEO and provide a better user experience, it’s important to add relevant metadata.

• Title tags: Include a clear and descriptive title for your page.
• Meta descriptions: Write a concise, engaging summary of your page’s content.
• Meta keywords: Add keywords that match your page’s theme and improve its searchability.

By setting up the right metadata, you ensure your masked domain stays SEO-friendly and properly indexed by search engines.

4. Implement SSL for Security

SSL (Secure Socket Layer) ensures that your site is secure. This is vital when you're masking your domain, as visitors will trust the site more when they see the padlock symbol next to the URL.

• Purchase an SSL certificate: Most registrars, like GoDaddy, offer SSL certificates.
• Activate SSL on your masked domain: Follow the steps provided by your registrar to enable SSL on the masked URL.
• Test SSL encryption: Once SSL is active, check the masked URL to ensure the padlock appears next to the domain.

This step helps ensure both security and trust, especially if you’re using domain masking for email marketing or sensitive content.

5. Test to Ensure Proper Masking

Before making your masked domain live, it’s critical to test everything thoroughly:

• Visit the masked domain: Check to see that the URL appears as expected in the address bar.
• Verify the redirect: Ensure the page is redirecting to the correct destination without showing the underlying URL.
• Check SSL status: Make sure the padlock icon is visible and active for security.

Testing ensures that everything is working as it should, without any unexpected issues.

Tips for Success:

• Avoid IP Conflicts

If you’re using a custom IP for your domain masking, make sure it’s not conflicting with other IP addresses.

IP conflicts can cause issues with the redirection or even result in your website being flagged by browsers or security tools.

Also Read: The Hidden Dangers of Unverified Emails: Protecting Your Email Reputation

• Monitor Deliverability and Metadata Accuracy

Once your domain masking is up and running, monitor your email deliverability and metadata accuracy.

This is especially important if you’re using domain masking for email outreach. Ensure that your emails aren’t flagged as spam and that all metadata is correctly set up for SEO.

By following these steps, you can effectively mask your domain and enhance both your branding and security.

Remember, domain masking is a powerful tool, but it requires careful setup to ensure everything works smoothly.

Understanding domain masking is key to improving your email outreach, but so is knowing the different types of redirects that can be used. 

Let’s take a look at how different redirect methods compare and which one works best for your needs.

1. 301 Redirects: Permanent Redirects

A 301 redirect is a permanent redirect that tells search engines and browsers that a page has been permanently moved to a new location.

This type of redirect is ideal for when you want to maintain SEO value while sending users to a different URL.

When and why to use it:

• When permanently moving content or pages to a new domain.
• To ensure SEO value from the old URL is passed to the new URL.
• When restructuring or consolidating content across your site.

Impact on SEO:

• 301 redirects transfer most of the SEO authority from the old page to the new one, helping you retain search rankings and traffic.

Domain Masking vs. 301 Redirect:
Unlike a 301 redirect, domain masking hides the original URL while still directing traffic to the new destination.

This is useful if you want to maintain your brand’s identity while ensuring the visitor is redirected properly.

Also Read: Ultimate GMass Review: 100+ User Experience Analyzed

2. 302 Redirects: Temporary Redirects

A 302 redirect is a temporary redirect. It tells search engines that the move is only temporary and that the content will return to its original location.

This is typically used for short-term changes or testing.

When and why to use it:

• When redirecting visitors for temporary purposes, such as promotions or seasonal campaigns.
• For A/B testing or testing different page designs without permanently changing URLs.

Impact on SEO:

• 302 redirects do not pass SEO value as effectively as 301 redirects, since search engines expect the change to be temporary.

Domain Masking vs. 302 Redirect:
If you want to temporarily mask the original URL and keep the branded one visible, domain masking is a better option than a 302 redirect.

It offers a more seamless user experience while maintaining control over the displayed domain.

3. URL Forwarding with Masking

URL forwarding with masking is commonly used in domain masking. This type of redirect allows you to hide the original URL while still guiding users to the content you want them to see.

Key benefits:

• Keeps your brand's identity intact by displaying the masked domain.
• Offers improved user trust by showing a clean, recognizable URL.
• Helps prevent domain spoofing and phishing by masking the true destination.

Limitations:

• SEO can be impacted if not set up correctly.
• Requires proper configuration to avoid technical issues and ensure a smooth user experience.

Domain Masking vs. URL Forwarding with Masking:
Domain masking essentially works as an advanced version of URL forwarding.

While both methods redirect traffic, domain masking ensures that visitors see the masked URL instead of the original one, making it ideal for brand control and privacy.

Also Read: Why Custom Domain Tracking is Crucial for Email Campaign Success

4. Meta Refresh Redirects: Less Commonly Used

A meta refresh redirect is less commonly used but involves automatically redirecting visitors after a short delay (typically 5 seconds).

It is often implemented using HTML meta tags and is usually seen as less ideal for SEO and user experience.

Why it’s less commonly used:

• It forces users to wait before being redirected, which can be annoying.
• Not as effective for SEO because search engines may treat it differently from standard redirects.

Domain Masking vs. Meta Refresh Redirects:

Meta refresh redirects are less effective than domain masking in terms of both SEO and user experience. With domain masking, you don’t have the delay or visibility issues that meta refresh redirects introduce.

Understanding the differences between these redirects helps you decide when to use domain masking versus other methods. If you want more control over your branding, user experience, and SEO, domain masking stands out as a highly effective tool.

Once you’ve grasped the types of redirects, we can dive into some alternatives to domain masking that might suit different needs and situations.

1. Custom Subdomains: When to Use Them for Branding or SEO

A custom subdomain is a part of your main domain but can be used to create a unique URL for a specific campaign or product.

For example, instead of using a domain like “www.mystore.com,” you could use something like “shop.mystore.com” or “offers.mystore.com.”

Why use custom subdomains:

• Branding: A custom subdomain gives you more control over your brand identity while still tying everything back to your main domain.

• SEO Benefits: Subdomains are treated as separate entities by search engines, so you can optimize them individually for different campaigns or product lines.

• Tracking and Targeting: Using subdomains makes it easier to track performance and target specific audiences with unique content.

When to consider this over domain masking:

• When you want a more recognizable URL that still connects to your main domain.
• If you’re managing multiple campaigns or want to create different experiences for different customer segments.

Also Read: Don't Let Opportunities Slip Away: The Importance of Cold Email Follow-Ups

2. Dedicated Landing Pages: A More Flexible and SEO-Friendly Option

A dedicated landing page is a single webpage designed to drive specific actions, like signing up for an offer, making a purchase, or filling out a form.

It’s a powerful alternative to domain masking when you want to focus on one specific call to action.

Why use dedicated landing pages:

• Flexibility: Landing pages offer greater flexibility in design and content, allowing you to tailor the experience for your visitors.

• SEO-Friendliness: Unlike domain masking, landing pages can be easily optimized for SEO, improving visibility and attracting organic traffic.

• Data Collection: Landing pages can be a great tool for gathering leads and tracking visitor behavior, helping you understand what works and what doesn’t.

When to consider this over domain masking:

• When you need a single, focused page for a specific campaign or product.
• If you want to improve your SEO and collect more detailed data about your visitors.

3. Link Shorteners: For Clean, Branded URLs

If you’re looking for a simple and quick solution to make your URLs cleaner and more branded, a link shortener could be a good choice.

Link shorteners allow you to condense long, cumbersome URLs into short, shareable links.

Why use link shorteners:

• Branding: Many link shorteners allow you to customize the short link to match your brand, making it look professional and trustworthy.

• Ease of Sharing: Short links are easier to share on social media, in emails, or in print materials.

• Tracking: Some link shorteners come with tracking features, so you can monitor clicks and see how your links are performing.

When to consider this over domain masking:

• If you only need a temporary, easily shareable link for a campaign.
• If your main goal is to provide a clean, branded link without needing full website masking.

Also Read: Custom Tracking Domain: What is it and How to setup? [in 5 min]

4. Custom Web Development: For a Fully Branded Experience

If you’re looking for complete control over your URL structure and user experience, custom web development might be the solution.

This involves creating a tailored, branded experience for your website visitors, where every detail is carefully designed.

Why use custom web development:

• Full Control: You get full control over how your site looks, functions, and what URLs appear.

• Brand Integrity: With custom development, you ensure that your brand message and design are consistent across every part of the user experience.

• Advanced Features: You can add advanced features like dynamic content, integrated forms, and specific tracking tools that are designed to match your business needs.

When to consider this over domain masking:

• When you want a completely custom and branded experience from start to finish.
• If you have the resources and technical expertise to support ongoing development and maintenance.

5. Domain Masking Proxies & SSL with Infraforge: Ensuring Secure, Branded Redirection

Infraforge offers a powerful solution for those seeking both domain masking and SSL security in one package.

By using Domain Masking Proxies along with SSL, you can maintain your brand’s identity while ensuring secure connections for your visitors.

Why use Infraforge’s Domain Masking Proxies & SSL:

• Enhanced Deliverability: Infraforge’s Domain Masking Proxy helps protect your email deliverability by hiding domain connections, making it harder for email filters to flag your communications as spam.
• Full Security: SSL certificates ensure encrypted connections (HTTPS), preventing security warnings and building trust with your audience. Google also favors secure websites, so SSL can boost your SEO.
• Branding Consistency: By masking your domain, Infraforge helps you display a branded experience without revealing your primary domain, which is especially important in cold email outreach and marketing campaigns.

When to consider Infraforge over other solutions:

• If you want an all-in-one solution for both domain masking and SSL, ensuring a seamless, secure, and branded experience.
• If you’re focusing on email marketing and deliverability, and want to hide domain connections to avoid spam filters.
• When security and trust are a priority for your audience and you want to improve both SEO and user confidence.

For more details, check out Setting Up SSL & Domain Masking with Infraforge.

While domain masking offers several advantages, these alternatives may be more suited to your needs, depending on the level of customization, flexibility, and SEO goals you have. 

Whether you opt for a custom subdomain, a landing page, link shorteners, or custom development, there’s a solution that can complement your overall digital strategy.

Now that we’ve explored alternatives to domain masking, let's take a closer look at how you can compare domain forwarding with domain masking to choose the best option for your needs.

Why Masking Might Fail

There are a few reasons why domain masking might not work correctly, even if you’ve done everything right:

• SSL Configuration Errors: If your SSL certificate isn’t set up properly, browsers might display a security warning or fail to establish a secure connection. This is especially problematic if you’re using domain masking for email campaigns, as it can undermine trust and hurt deliverability.

• IP Conflicts with Registrars: Sometimes, domain masking won’t work because of IP conflicts between the registrar and the server you’re trying to mask. This can cause the domain to redirect incorrectly or show an error.

Solutions to Ensure Proper Masking

Luckily, these issues can usually be fixed with a bit of effort. Here are some ways to ensure your domain masking runs smoothly:

• Regular Testing: It’s always a good idea to test your domain masking setup regularly. Use different browsers and devices to make sure the redirection works seamlessly without showing the original URL.

• Use Advanced Tools Like EmailGuard for Automation: Tools like EmailGuard can help automate testing and ensure your domain masking is functioning correctly. They can also alert you to issues before they affect your email marketing efforts.

By staying on top of these potential problems, you can maintain a flawless domain masking experience, protect your brand, and ensure your email campaigns run smoothly.

As we wrap up the troubleshooting process, let’s dive into some frequently asked questions about domain masking.

1Q) Why use SSL with domain masking?

SSL is critical when you’re using domain masking for a secure and professional experience:

• Security: SSL encryption ensures that data is transmitted securely, which is crucial for building trust, especially in email campaigns. Without SSL, users may see a “Not Secure” warning, which can hurt your credibility.

• SEO: Google favors secure websites. Having SSL with domain masking ensures that your site remains trusted by both search engines and users.

2Q) Is domain masking suitable for small businesses?

Yes, domain masking can be incredibly useful for small businesses, especially when it comes to building a professional online presence. Here’s why:

• Brand Protection: Even small businesses benefit from consistent branding. Domain masking lets you hide complex or temporary URLs and display a clean, professional domain that builds trust with customers.

• Email Campaigns: Small businesses can boost the success of their email marketing efforts with domain masking, as it keeps the branding intact and prevents any issues with deliverability.

If you’re a small business owner looking to protect your brand while improving email marketing performance, domain masking is definitely worth considering.

With these FAQs addressed, you're now equipped to understand domain masking inside and out. Let’s take a look at the main takeaways from all we’ve covered.

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