Why WWW and Non-WWW Website Addresses Are Not the Same

In the vast landscape of the internet, website addresses—or URLs—are the gateways to online content. One of the most common questions among website owners and internet users alike is whether there is any difference between using “www” and not using “www” in a website’s address. At first glance, these variations might seem trivial, but they carry important implications for website performance, search engine optimisation (SEO), and user experience.

In this post, we will explore why www and non-www website addresses are not the same, the technical distinctions between them, and why it’s crucial to understand these differences for your website’s success.

The Origins of WWW and Non-WWW Addresses

The “www” prefix stands for the World Wide Web, a system of interlinked hypertext documents that can be accessed via the internet. Historically, “www” was used to indicate that a particular address pointed to a web service, typically the website of an organisation. For example, “www.example.com” would be the web version of an organisation’s site, while “ftp.example.com” might be used for file transfers.

However, as the internet evolved, the need for “www” in website addresses became less rigid. Today, many websites are accessible with or without the “www” prefix, leading to the common misconception that these two addresses are interchangeable.

Technical Differences Between WWW and Non-WWW Addresses

Although they often lead to the same website, www and non-www addresses are technically different. This distinction lies in how they are treated by servers and DNS (Domain Name System) configurations.

1. Subdomain vs. Root Domain:
   • A website address with “www” is technically a subdomain of your main domain. For instance, “www.example.com” is a subdomain of “example.com.”
   • On the other hand, a non-www address (e.g., “example.com”) is referred to as the root domain or apex domain.
2. DNS Configuration:
   • When a domain is set up, DNS records are created to direct internet traffic to the correct servers. The “www” version of a site typically has a CNAME (Canonical Name) record, which is an alias pointing to the main domain’s IP address.
   • The non-www version (the root domain) usually has an A record, which points directly to the IP address of the server hosting the website.

   These differences in DNS records can influence how quickly a website loads, how it handles traffic, and how easy it is to configure certain services like CDN (Content Delivery Network) or SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificates.

3. Cookie Handling:
   • Websites with a “www” prefix can set cookies that are specific to the “www” subdomain, whereas a non-www domain might set cookies for the entire domain. This can impact how cookies are shared across subdomains and how user data is managed.

SEO Considerations: Why It Matters for Your Website

From an SEO perspective, choosing between www and non-www addresses is significant because search engines treat these two versions as separate entities. If your website is accessible via both addresses without proper configuration, search engines might see them as duplicate content, which can dilute your SEO efforts.

1. Canonicalisation:
   • Canonicalisation refers to the process of specifying the preferred version of a webpage when there are multiple versions available. If your site is accessible via both www and non-www addresses, you need to choose one as the canonical version.
   • This is typically done using a canonical tag in the HTML of your web pages or by setting up 301 redirects from one version to the other. Failing to do so can lead to search engines splitting your page rank and authority between the two versions, weakening your site’s overall SEO performance.
2. Backlink Consistency:
   • Backlinks are a critical component of SEO, as they signal to search engines that your content is valuable. If other websites link to both the www and non-www versions of your site, you might end up with split backlink authority.
   • By standardising on either www or non-www and implementing proper redirects, you ensure that all backlinks point to a single version of your site, consolidating your SEO efforts.
3. Site Indexing:
   • If search engines find two versions of your site, they may index both, leading to duplicate content issues. This can confuse search engines and may result in lower rankings for both versions.

User Experience and Brand Consistency

Consistency in branding is another reason to choose between www and non-www addresses. A consistent URL structure improves user experience by providing a reliable way to access your site. When visitors are always redirected to the same version of your site, they are less likely to encounter errors or confusion.

Moreover, having a single, consistent URL for your site helps in marketing and branding efforts. Whether you’re printing the URL on business cards, sharing it on social media, or using it in email campaigns, a standardised web address ensures that users know exactly where to go.

How to Choose: WWW or Non-WWW?

Deciding between www and non-www largely comes down to personal preference, but there are some factors to consider:

1. WWW for Flexibility:
   • The www version can be more flexible in handling traffic because it is treated as a subdomain. It’s easier to configure and manage services like CDNs and load balancing with a www address.
   • Large organisations with multiple subdomains might prefer using www to clearly separate their web services.
2. Non-WWW for Simplicity:
   • Non-www addresses are shorter and can be easier to remember. They also present a cleaner, more modern appearance.
   • For small to medium-sized websites, the non-www version might be preferable for its simplicity and ease of use.

Conclusion

While www and non-www website addresses may seem similar, they are technically distinct and carry different implications for your website’s performance, SEO, and user experience. The choice between the two should be made based on your website’s specific needs and goals, with careful consideration given to DNS configuration, SEO practices, and user expectations.

By understanding the differences between www and non-www addresses and making an informed decision, you can ensure that your website is optimised for both search engines and users, contributing to the overall success of your online presence.