Mastering Addon Domains: How to Add One to Your Hosting?

Adding an addon domain to your hosting account allows you to host multiple websites under a single domain account. This feature is beneficial for web developers, businesses with multiple brands, or individuals managing various projects. In this guide, we will walk you through the steps to add an addon domain using cPanel, one of the most popular web hosting control panels.

What is an Addon Domain?

An addon domain is a domain that is added to your existing web hosting account, enabling you to create a new website without needing a separate hosting account. This means you can manage multiple websites from a single control panel, streamlining the process of updates and management.

For example, if your primary domain is example.com, you can add an addon domain like mynewsite.com. Both domains can have their own unique content while being managed from the same hosting account.

Requirements for Adding an Addon Domain

Before you can add an addon domain, ensure that:

Your hosting plan supports addon domains. Most shared and VPS hosting plans do, but it’s essential to check your provider's specifications.

You have registered the new domain name you wish to add. If you haven’t registered it yet, you can do so through a domain registrar.

You have the necessary DNS information set up to point your new domain to your hosting account.

Step-by-Step Guide to Add an Addon Domain

Step 1: Access Your cPanel Account

Log in to cPanel: Use your hosting provider's URL to access the cPanel login page. Enter your username and password to log in.

Step 2: Navigate to the Addon Domains Section

Locate the Domains Section: In your cPanel dashboard, find the "Domains" section.

Select Addon Domains: Click on the "Addon Domains" icon.

Step 3: Fill in the Addon Domain Information

Enter the Domain Name: In the "New Domain Name" field, enter the addon domain name you wish to add (e.g., mynewsite.com).

Subdomain/FTP Username: cPanel will automatically generate a subdomain name (e.g., mynewsite) and an FTP username based on the addon domain name. You can customize it if you prefer.

Document Root: This is the directory where your new domain's files will be stored. cPanel will suggest a default path, but you can change it if you want to. Each addon domain should have its own separate directory to keep things organized (e.g., /public_html/mynewsite).

Password: Create a password for the FTP account associated with the addon domain. This step is optional if you don't plan to use FTP for this domain, but it’s a good practice for security.

Step 4: Create the Addon Domain

Click on Add Domain: After filling in the necessary information, click the "Add Domain" button.

Confirmation: If everything is set up correctly, you will see a confirmation message indicating that the addon domain has been successfully created.

Step 5: Update DNS Settings

After creating the addon domain, you need to point it to your cloud  hosting account. This process involves updating the DNS settings of your domain:

Log in to Your Domain Registrar: Go to the website where you registered your domain (e.g., GoDaddy, Namecheap).

Access DNS Settings: Locate the DNS management section for your domain.

Set A Record: Add an A record pointing to your hosting server's IP address. This tells the internet where to find your website.

Save Changes: Make sure to save the changes. DNS updates can take some time (up to 48 hours) to propagate across the internet.

Step 6: Upload Your Website Files

Once the addon domain is set up and DNS has propagated, you can upload your website files:

Use FTP or File Manager: You can either use an FTP client like FileZilla or the File Manager in cPanel to upload your files.

Navigate to the Document Root: Go to the document root directory you specified during the addon domain creation (e.g., /public_html/mynewsite).

Upload Files: Upload your website files (HTML, CSS, images, etc.) into this directory.

Step 7: Test Your Addon Domain

After uploading your files, it’s time to test the addon domain:

Open a Web Browser: Type in your addon domain URL (e.g., http://mynewsite.com).

Check for Errors: Ensure that your website loads correctly without any errors. If you encounter issues, verify your DNS settings and ensure that your files were uploaded to the correct directory.

Managing Your Addon Domain

After successfully adding an addon domain, you can manage it from the cPanel interface. You can:

Create email accounts associated with the addon domain.

Set up subdomains for further organization.

Access file management for website updates and maintenance.

Conclusion

Adding an addon domain is a straightforward process that allows you to host multiple websites under a single hosting account. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can efficiently manage your web presence and streamline your website development efforts. Always remember to keep your DNS settings updated and secure your accounts with strong passwords for optimal safety.