Have you this code at the top of your .htaccess file? [COLOR=#ff0000]RewriteEngine On RewriteCond %{HTTP_HOST} ^example.com RewriteRule (.*) http://www.example.com/$1 [R=301,L][/COLOR] Code (markup):
Right the above code can be use for 301 redirect www to non www. it is permanent movement of old domain site to new domain.
But is there a way I can set it all up through Cpanel, or Godaddy, without going to each individual site's .htaccess file, and add the code?
You should can through Cpanel, still you will have to modify the .htaccess of each site you want to redirect...though I an not a Godaddy client. It is very good idea to do it since it isn't already. Which version of the URL is up to you - it wont make any difference for the SEs. Just open the .htaccess from the cpanel and add the code mentioned above, while replacing the details with yours. Also it is a good idea to redirect and the index.html/php or whatever to the domain. This way from all the 4 versions you will have just 1 of your choice.
You can also log into webmaster tools and tell google to only use the www version or the other way around.
I think you have to set it for each of your website up in its .htaccess file. I do not know any other way to change it for tens of websites by the only simple step.
I'm actually wondering if this has anything to do with google rankings? Does google actually do anything to the rankings if you don't redirect the WWW?