Setting up a Domain on Ionos

Setting up a CNAME record for "www" with IONOS involves a few steps. Here's a general guide to help you through the process:

  1. Log in to Your IONOS Account: Access your IONOS account by going to their website and logging in with your credentials.
  2. Access Domain Management: Once logged in, navigate to the domain management section. This is usually found in the dashboard or under a menu labeled something like 'Domains & SSL'.
  3. Select Your Domain: From the list of domains you have registered with IONOS, select the one you want to set up the CNAME record for.
  4. Go to DNS Settings: Look for an option to manage DNS settings or DNS configuration. Click on it to access the DNS management area.
  5. Modify DNS Records: In the DNS settings, you should see a list of current DNS records. Look for an option to add a new record.
  6. Add CNAME Record: Select 'CNAME' as the type of record you want to add.
    • In the 'Name' or 'Host' field, enter "www".
    • In the 'Value', 'Destination', or 'Points to' field, enter your IndieMade URL. 
    • Set the TTL (Time to Live) as desired. The default is usually sufficient.
  7. Save Your Changes: After entering the details, save your changes. It might take some time for the changes to propagate across the internet.
  8. Verify the CNAME Record: After a while, you can check if your CNAME record is set up correctly.

Remember, each DNS provider's interface can be slightly different, so some of the terminology or steps might vary. If you get stuck, IONOS likely has specific guides or customer support that can assist you.

To set up a redirect from your root domain to the 'www' version on IONOS, you need to follow these steps:

  1. Log in to your IONOS Account: Access your IONOS account at my.ionos.com.
  2. Navigate to Domain & SSL: Once logged in, click on the 'Domain & SSL' tile and select the domain you want to redirect.
  3. Adjust Domain Settings: At the top of the screen, click on the 'Adjust Destination' button.
  4. Select 'Forward Domain': From the list of options, choose 'Forward Domain'.
  5. Set up Your Redirect:
    • Input the destination where you want to redirect your domain, which in your case would be the 'www' version of your domain (e.g., www.yourdomain.com).
    • Decide on the redirect type. It is recommended to use 'HTTP Redirect' for better search engine results.
  6. Save Settings: After configuring your redirect, save your settings. Remember, it might take some time for the redirect to propagate across the internet, typically anywhere from a few minutes to 24 hours.
  7. Test Your Redirect: Once the settings are saved, it's essential to test whether the redirect works as expected ( e.g., typing your domain name, yourdomain.com, should redirect to www.yourdomain.com). 

It's important to note that IONOS domain redirection doesn’t automatically support HTTPS. Once the CNAME/www and redirect are set up correctly, we can install a security certificate for your website. 

For detailed steps and additional information, you can refer to the IONOS help articles on Forwarding a Domain to a Different Domain and Domain Forwarding.