Why do some sites work with sitename.com but some other sites need the www in www.sitename.com?

Answer 1

Several PossibilitiesThe site specified in their .htaccess file on their server/host that the address must contain the www in order to execute the pages. Others may specify in this same file that the address does not require the www. See the codes below for both options.

There's a record on the server that the webmaster needs to have to enable "http://sitename.com". Memory fails me as to what it is called. Think of it as splitting the IP number assigned.--> Edit:

You need to specify the server alias in the httpd.conf or vhosts.conf ( here inside the directive ). Assume you use the form: ServerAlias sitename.com then you can use the directives below. In case you use *.sitename.com then any subdomain is valid to reach the main domain ( if you do not redirect them somewhere else ). Thus, make it without the *

Requiring No WWWAdd this code to your .htaccess file on your server for your website if you would like addresses without the www access your site:

Options +FollowSymLinks

RewriteEngine On

RewriteBase /

RewriteCond %{HTTP_HOST} !^askapache\.com$ [NC]

RewriteRule ^(.*)$ http://askapache.com/$1 [R=301,L]

Require the WWWAdd this code to the same file to always require the www in the address to access your site:

Options +FollowSymLinks

RewriteEngine On

RewriteBase /

RewriteCond %{HTTP_HOST} !^www\.askapache\.com$ [NC]

RewriteRule ^(.*)$ http://www.askapache.com/$1 [R=301,L]

Require the WWW without hardcodingOptions +FollowSymLinks

RewriteEngine On

RewriteBase /

RewriteCond %{HTTP_HOST} !^www\.[a-z-]+\.[a-z]{2,6} [NC]

RewriteCond %{HTTP_HOST} ([a-z-]+\.[a-z]{2,6})$ [NC]

RewriteRule ^/(.*)$ http://%1/$1 [R=301,L]