What is the Difference Between Addon Domain and Parked Domain?

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The main difference between an addon domain and a parked domain lies in their functionality and setup:

  • Addon Domain: An addon domain is a separate domain and site entirely. It is not within another domain but has its own directory, code, and file structure. If your main domain name is yourdomain.com and you want another domain name, myotherdomain.com, you would add it as an add-on within your hosting account. When a user visits the addon domain, it will appear as if the new domain is hosted on its own account, even though the files are still located under your primary domain.
  • Parked Domain: A parked domain is an alias of your primary domain and serves to point to the same content and website as your primary domain. Parking a domain just points the new domain name to your primary account domain, so if you were to park "newdomain.com", it would point to the same directory that "accountdomain.com" is pointing to.

In summary, an addon domain is a separate domain with its own website and files, while a parked domain is an alias that points to the same website as your primary domain.

Comparative Table: Addon Domain vs Parked Domain

Here is a table summarizing the key differences between addon domains and parked domains:

Feature Addon Domain Parked Domain
Definition An addon domain is a fully functional domain that can be created from within your control panel, hosting a separate website with its own unique content. A parked domain is an unused domain name on which you can host as many different web pages as you want, but it does not host a unique website. Instead, it is a masked forward to the primary domain name of your hosting account.
Functionality Addon domains are fully functional and can be used for creating separate websites with their own content. Parked domains are not unique websites; they are masked forwards to the primary domain name and typically do not contain unique content.
SEO Impact Addon domains can improve search engine ranking and be used for pay-per-click advertising. Parked domains are less likely to be indexed by search engines and are not typically used as the sole source of advertising.
Use Cases Addon domains can be used for running multiple websites on a single hosting account, providing increased flexibility and cost-effectiveness. Parked domains can be used as teaser/mini-sites, for brand protection, pay-per-click advertising, and redirecting to your main website.

In conclusion, addon domains are fully functional domains that can be used for creating separate websites, while parked domains are not unique websites and are typically used for forwarding to the primary domain name or other marketing purposes.