How to Add a Domain in cPanel: A Complete Guide

Managing your domains through cPanel is essential for any website owner. Whether you’re adding a new domain for your website or setting up a subdomain, cPanel makes the process straightforward. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps to add a domain in the cPanel Domains section.

Step-by-Step Guide to Adding a Domain in cPanel

Step 1: Log into cPanel
To start, access your cPanel account. This is typically done by visiting yourdomain.com/cpanel or via your hosting provider’s login page. Enter your username and password to log in.

Step 2: Locate the Domains Section
Once you are logged into cPanel, scroll down to the “Domains” section. Here, you will see options such as “Domains,” “Addon Domains,” and “Subdomains.”

Step 3: Adding an Addon Domain

1. Click on Addon Domains. This option allows you to add a new domain that you want to host alongside your main domain.
2. In the New Domain Name field, enter the domain name you wish to add (e.g., newdomain.com).
3. Subdomain: This field will automatically fill in a subdomain based on the new domain name. You can customize it if needed.
4. Document Root: This is the directory where the files for this domain will be stored. By default, it will be set to a folder named after your domain (e.g., public_html/newdomain.com). You can change it if you wish.
5. Create an FTP Account (Optional): If you want to create a separate FTP account for this domain, check the box and fill in the required details.
6. Click the Add Domain button.

Step 4: Update DNS Settings
After adding the domain in cPanel, you’ll need to update the DNS settings to point to your hosting provider. This typically involves:

• Logging into your domain registrar (where you purchased your domain).
• Navigating to the DNS management section.
• Setting the nameservers to your hosting provider’s nameservers (found in your cPanel or hosting documentation).

Step 5: Verify the Domain Setup
It can take some time for DNS changes to propagate (up to 24-48 hours). To check if your domain has been added successfully:

• Return to cPanel and go to the Domains section.
• Click on Addon Domains to see the list of domains associated with your account. Your new domain should appear here.
• You can also try accessing your new domain in a web browser to see if it resolves to your hosting account.

Adding a Subdomain

If you want to create a subdomain (e.g., subdomain.yourdomain.com), follow these steps:

1. Go to the Subdomains section in the Domains area of cPanel.
2. In the Subdomain field, enter the name of your subdomain.
3. Choose the domain from the dropdown menu.
4. The Document Root will automatically fill based on your entry. You can modify it if needed.
5. Click Create.

Conclusion

Adding a domain in cPanel is a simple process that allows you to expand your online presence efficiently. By following these steps, you can manage multiple domains, subdomains, and their settings easily through the cPanel interface. Make sure to keep your DNS settings updated and verify your domains to ensure smooth operation.