Learn how to create and manage subdomains, addon domains, and alias domains within your cPanel interface. Understand the differences between these domain types and their uses. Follow step-by-step instructions to enhance your website's functionality and organization.
Imagine your website as a bustling kingdom. Your main domain is the grand castle, but wouldn't it be useful to have designated areas for specific purposes? Subdomains, addons, and aliases in cPanel act like these fiefdoms, expanding your website's reach and organization. This guide will equip you, the website owner, with the knowledge to create and manage these sub-sections within your cPanel interface, transforming your online presence into a well-structured domain!
Understanding Your Domain Landscape
- Domain: This is your website's core address, like "example-domain.com." It's your kingdom's grand name, recognized by all.
- Subdomain: Think of a subdomain as a prefix added to your domain name, creating a subsection. For instance, "example-domain.com" or "example-domain.com" would be subdomains branching off from "example-domain.com."
- Addon Domain: An addon domain acts like an additional property annexed to your main domain. It has a unique name (e.g., "example-domain.com") that points to a specific directory within your website's file structure.
- Alias Domain (Parked Domain): An alias domain is like a signpost redirecting visitors. It doesn't have its content but points users to your main domain or a subdomain, acting as an alternate name for your kingdom.
Subdomain vs Addon vs Alias Domain
| Features | Subdomain | Addon Domain | Alias Domain |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Appears in Address Bar
|
✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
|
Uses Parent Domain's Content
|
No | No | ✓ |
|
Treated as Subdomain
|
✓ | ✓ | No |
|
Viewable At
|
subdomain.example-domain.com | addon.com addon.example-domain.com example-domain.com/addon | example-domain.com |
|
AutoSSL
|
✓ | ✓ | No |
Creating Subdomains, Addons, and Aliases in cPanel
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Log in to your cPanel account. This is your mission control center for managing your website.
-
Navigate to the "Domains" section. Look for menus or icons related to domain management.
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Click on "Create a New Domain." This is where you'll expand your digital territory.
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Enter your desired domain name. Here's where you decide how you want to name your new domain or subdomain, addon domain or alias domain.
- For a subdomain, simply type the prefix you want before your main domain (e.g., "shop.example-domain.com").
- For an addon domain, enter the complete domain name you want to use (e.g., "example-domain.com").
-
Configure the Document Root (Optional): The document root defines the location of your domain's files within your website's file structure. So use caution when sharing document roots with main domains. You can leave it for the default setting or enter a custom path if needed.
-
Click Submit or click Submit and Create Another Domain.
Your new subdomain, addon domain, or alias domain is now configured within cPanel.
Bonus Tip: Consider using a consistent naming convention for your subdomains and addon domains to maintain a clear and organized website structure.
Managing Domain Settings
To manage the domain, visit the Email Accounts at cPanel » Home » Email » Email Accounts.
You can then use the Manage the Domain interface to manage the domain's document root directory, remove the domain, redirect, or perform other actions.
For example, you can:
- Create an Email Address - add an email address to the website.
- Create a Site with Site Publisher - quickly create a simple website, even if you have never created a website before.
- Modify the Zones - create, edit, and delete Domain Name System (DNS) records.
- Modify the Redirects - send all of the visitors of a domain or particular page to a different URL.
Remember:
- DNS propagation may take up to 48 hours for your new domain to become fully functional.
- For advanced domain management or troubleshooting, consult your web hosting provider's documentation or support team.
- Leverage subdomains, addons, and
- Ensure correct directory paths for addon domains to avoid errors.
- Utilize redirects and toggle the Force HTTPS Redirect toggle to On for enhanced security and usability.
WebHostingM Support
Remember: If you're a WebHostingM customer and have questions regarding this, submit a ticket and our friendly engineers will be happy to assist you.
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