Quick answer
Both yourbrand.com and www.yourbrand.com work with WanderOS, and either one will serve your site. This applies to all WanderOS hosts. WanderOS automatically redirects between the two versions so guests always reach your site, no matter which they type. Use whichever version matches your branding and existing marketing — you do not need to choose one over the other for technical reasons.
What's the difference between the two?
Apex (root) domain —
yourbrand.com. The "naked" domain with nothing in front.wwwsubdomain —www.yourbrand.com. A subdomain that points to the same destination.
They are technically different addresses, but on a properly configured site they serve the same content. WanderOS handles both automatically when you connect a custom domain.
Which one should I use as my "primary"?
Pick the one that:
Matches what is already printed on your business cards, social media, and OTA listings
Reads cleanest in marketing materials and email signatures
Matches what guests already know your brand as
Most modern brands use the apex (e.g. yourbrand.com) because it is shorter and reads cleaner. Some legacy brands keep www for consistency with longstanding customer expectations. Either is fine.
Do I need to set up DNS for both?
When you connect your domain through the in-product flow, WanderOS sets up both versions automatically. Guests can reach your site at either yourbrand.com or www.yourbrand.com regardless of which one you typed into the connect flow.
If you set up DNS manually, make sure both versions point to WanderOS. Your registrar typically supports this with one record at @ (apex) and one record at www.
Will Google penalize me for having both versions live?
No, as long as one version redirects to the other (which WanderOS handles automatically). Google sees the canonical URL and gives all SEO credit to that version. There is no duplicate content penalty.
Troubleshooting
One version loads but not the other: Confirm DNS for both
@andwwwis set up. Run a DNS lookup on each version separately.Browser shows certificate error on
wwwbut not the apex (or vice versa): Both should have valid certificates. Wait 1 to 2 hours for SSL to finish provisioning. If still broken after a day, contact Wander support.Old site is still loading at one version: Leftover DNS at your registrar. Remove any A or CNAME records pointing to the previous host.