Business owners who build websites are responsible for creating a strong online presence and guiding their visitors through their content. Why would they worry about a technical prefix that seems like a relic from earlier web days? Over the years, however, the choice between using 'www' or not has proven significant for branding and technical reasons, and not just because website managers are indecisive or unaware of technical details. In the modern web environment, major platforms and services handle both versions, but the decision impacts everything from website branding consistency to how cookies are managed across subdomains.
How to Choose Between WWW and Non-WWW for Your WordPress Site
Making the right choice between using 'www' or the naked domain version is simpler than many people think. As a WordPress developer, I recommend focusing on three key factors: branding preference, technical setup, and long-term flexibility. The most important step is to pick one version as your canonical (primary) URL and set up proper redirects from the other version. This ensures all your traffic and SEO value goes to your preferred domain structure.
- Step 1: Decide which version better represents your brand. 'www' can make your domain look more traditional and complete, while the non-www version appears cleaner and more modern.
- Step 2: Set up 301 redirects in your .htaccess file or through your hosting control panel to permanently redirect from your non-preferred version to your chosen canonical domain.
- Step 3: Update your WordPress Address and Site Address in your WordPress dashboard under Settings > General to match your chosen canonical URL.
- Step 4: Verify your preferred domain in Google Search Console and update any sitemaps or internal links to maintain consistent SEO value.
- Step 5: Test your redirects thoroughly and monitor for several weeks to ensure all traffic is properly flowing to your chosen domain version.
Remember that once you make this decision and implement redirects, changing it later can be complicated and may temporarily affect your search rankings, so choose carefully. Many hosting providers offer simple tools to manage domain redirects and settings through their control panels if you're not comfortable editing configuration files manually.
Does using www or non-www affect SEO?
Search engines treat www and non-www versions as separate websites if not properly configured. This can split your incoming links and social shares between two domains, diluting your SEO efforts. Google specifically recommends choosing one version as your preferred domain and consistently using it throughout your site and marketing materials.
When you establish one version as canonical through 301 redirects and consistent internal linking, you consolidate all SEO value to a single domain. Search engines will then transfer ranking signals from both versions to your preferred choice, preventing duplicate content issues. Proper implementation ensures you don't lose any search engine optimization benefits regardless of which version visitors or other sites link to.
What are the technical differences between www and non-www?
The technical distinction lies in how DNS records and cookies function. The 'www' prefix technically makes your website a subdomain of your main domain, which can provide flexibility for handling web forms and applications across different subdomains. From a DNS perspective, both versions typically point to the same server and files when properly configured.
Cookies set on a naked domain (without www) are sent to every subdomain, while cookies set on the www version are only sent to that specific subdomain. This can impact performance and security for larger sites with multiple subdomains. For most small to medium WordPress sites, this distinction matters less, but it's worth considering if you plan to expand with additional subdomains in the future.
How do I redirect non-www to www in WordPress?
You can implement redirects through several methods depending on your comfort level and hosting environment. The most common approach is editing your .htaccess file if you're using Apache web server, adding rewrite rules that automatically redirect visitors from one version to the other. Many WordPress security and redirection plugins also offer simple interfaces to manage these redirects without touching code.
For those using NGINX servers, the redirect configuration happens in the server block configuration file instead. Regardless of your method, always test thoroughly to ensure the redirects work correctly and don't create infinite loops. If you need to modify your WordPress site structure, it's wise to implement redirects during less busy traffic periods and monitor for any issues.
Which version do most websites use today?
| Website Type | Common Practice | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Large Corporations | Mostly use www | Google, Amazon, Microsoft |
| Tech Startups | Mostly non-www | Twitter, GitHub, Medium |
| Personal Blogs | Mixed, leaning non-www | Various independent publishers |
| E-commerce Sites | Mostly www | eBay, Walmart, Target |
The trend has shifted toward non-www domains for newer websites, particularly in the tech sector, while established enterprises often maintain their traditional www prefixes. The choice often reflects design and branding considerations rather than technical requirements for most modern websites.
Can I change from www to non-www after my site is established?
Yes, but it requires careful planning and execution to avoid losing search rankings and traffic. You'll need to implement 301 redirects from all old URLs to their new counterparts, update your WordPress configuration, and inform search engines of the change through updated sitemaps and Search Console settings. The process typically causes a temporary dip in rankings as search engines process the changes.
It's crucial to update all internal links, social media profiles, and marketing materials to reflect the new domain structure. Many businesses choose to work with a WordPress development expert when making this transition to ensure no technical issues arise during the process. With proper implementation, your site should recover its search visibility within a few weeks.
Professional WordPress Services at WPutopia
At WPutopia, we understand that technical decisions like choosing between www and non-www domains can be overwhelming for business owners. Our WordPress maintenance services handle these configuration details for you, ensuring your site follows best practices for SEO and user experience. We manage everything from domain redirects to theme updates and security monitoring, so you can focus on your business rather than technical details.
Whether you need help with plugin installation, performance optimization, or ongoing site management, our team provides reliable WordPress support tailored to your specific needs. We help you make informed decisions about your website's structure and implement them correctly the first time. Contact WPutopia today to discuss how we can help your WordPress site perform at its best while handling the technical complexities behind the scenes.
