TL;DR: GoDaddy forwarding works for basic HTTP redirects but lacks HTTPS, 302 options, and reliable path forwarding. For forwarding with SSL, use Domain-Forward.com (free plan) — keep your domain at GoDaddy, just update DNS.
GoDaddy is the world’s largest domain registrar. Millions of domains use their forwarding feature. But it has significant limitations that trip up users daily.
This guide covers everything about GoDaddy domain redirects — both the built-in forwarding and the better alternatives.
For the original GoDaddy-specific walkthrough, see our detailed guide: GoDaddy Domain Forwarding: Everything You Should Know.
GoDaddy’s Built-in Forwarding Options
GoDaddy offers two forwarding modes:
| Mode | What It Does | Redirect Type |
|---|---|---|
| Forward Only | 301 redirect to destination | 301 (permanent) |
| Forward with Masking | Loads destination in iframe, keeps your URL in bar | Frame (not a real redirect) |
Forward Only (301)
The standard redirect. Visitors go to the destination URL. Simple, correct.
Forward with Masking
URL masking via iframe. Breaks mobile, kills SEO, many sites refuse to load in frames. Avoid this.
GoDaddy’s Key Limitations
1. No HTTPS
GoDaddy does not provision an SSL certificate for forwarded domains. This means:
http://yourdomain.com→ redirect works ✓https://yourdomain.com→ browser error ✗
In 2026, over 90% of web traffic uses HTTPS. This limitation effectively breaks forwarding for most visitors. Read more in our SSL forwarding guide.
2. No 302 (Temporary) Redirect
GoDaddy only offers 301 (permanent). If you need a temporary redirect — site under construction, seasonal campaign, testing — GoDaddy can’t help.
3. Inconsistent Path Forwarding
Path preservation (domain.com/page → destination.com/page) is unreliable on GoDaddy. Some configurations work; others silently drop the path.
4. Limited Subdomain Forwarding
Forwarding subdomains (like shop.yourdomain.com) isn’t consistently available in GoDaddy’s interface.
5. No Analytics
GoDaddy provides zero insight into redirect traffic. You don’t know:
- How many people hit the redirect
- Where they came from
- Whether it’s still being used
6. Conflicts with DNS Records
If you have A, AAAA, or CNAME records set for the same host, GoDaddy forwarding may conflict silently. This is the #1 cause of “forwarding not working” issues.
Troubleshooting GoDaddy Forwarding
| Problem | Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Redirect not working at all | Conflicting DNS records | Remove A/CNAME records for that host |
| HTTPS shows error | No SSL for forwarding | Switch to Domain-Forward.com |
| Shows parking page | Forwarding not active or conflicting hosting | Verify forwarding status in GoDaddy |
| Path not preserved | GoDaddy limitation | Use Domain-Forward.com with path forwarding |
| Slow redirect | DNS propagation | Wait 24 hours |
| Masking not loading | Destination blocks iframes | Use redirect (not masking) |
The Fix: Domain-Forward.com (Keep Your Domain at GoDaddy)
You don’t need to transfer your domain. Keep it at GoDaddy. Just update DNS records:
Step 1: Sign up at Domain-Forward.com
Free, no credit card.
Step 2: Disable GoDaddy forwarding
In GoDaddy DNS management, remove any existing forwarding rules.
Step 3: Add your redirect in Domain-Forward.com
- Source:
yourdomain.com - Destination: Your target URL
- Type: 301 or 302 (your choice)
- Path forwarding: Enable if needed
Step 4: Update DNS in GoDaddy
Remove any conflicting records first, then add:
| Record Type | Host | Value |
|---|---|---|
| A | @ | 138.68.125.144 |
| CNAME | www | edge.domain-forward.com |
Step 5: Wait for DNS propagation (1-4 hours)
SSL certificate provisioned automatically. Test with our redirect tester tool.
GoDaddy vs. Domain-Forward.com
| Feature | GoDaddy Forwarding | Domain-Forward.com |
|---|---|---|
| HTTPS | ❌ | ✅ Automatic |
| 301 redirect | ✅ | ✅ |
| 302 redirect | ❌ | ✅ |
| Path forwarding | ⚠️ Unreliable | ✅ |
| Subdomain forwarding | ⚠️ Limited | ✅ |
| Analytics | ❌ | ✅ |
| Domain stays at GoDaddy | ✅ | ✅ |
| Cost | Free (with domain) | Free (5 domains) |
Keep GoDaddy for Registration, Use Domain Forward for… Forwarding
GoDaddy is fine as a domain registrar. But their forwarding feature hasn’t been updated to handle modern requirements (HTTPS, analytics, path forwarding). A dedicated service handles what they don’t.
Create your free account, migrate from GoDaddy forwarding in 5 minutes. Email stays working — you’re not touching MX records.