Managing Domains in cPanel

This article explains how domains are managed in cPanel, including what domains represent within the hosting environment, how they are used, how they differ from domain registration, and how to add a new domain to your account. 

 

What are domains in cPanel and when to use them 

In cPanel, domains refer to websites that are connected to your hosting account. Each domain you add is assigned to a specific directory (document root) where its website files are stored. 

You would use domains in cPanel in the following situations: 

• When you want to host another website on the same hosting account  
• When you need to organize website files into separate directories  
• When you want to manage multiple websites from a single control panel  

Each domain works independently, even though they are managed under one hosting account. 

 

Types of domains in cPanel 

cPanel supports different domain types, each serving a specific purpose. 

The main domain types in cPanel are the following: 

• Primary domain – The main domain assigned to your hosting account. It uses the public_html directory.  
   
• Addon domain – A separate domain used to host a different website within the same hosting account. Adding an addon domain creates a folder inside the public_html directory. 
  NOTE. Adding an Addon domain in cPanel automatically creates a subdomain of the Primary domain.
• Subdomain – A subdivision of the primary or addon domain (for example, blog.yourdomain.com). It is commonly used for sections of a website. It is created as a subfolder inside the public_html directory similar to the addon domain.  
   
• Alias domain (Parked domain) – An additional domain that displays the same website as another domain instead of hosting separate content. 

 

How to create a new domain in cPanel 

Before adding a domain, make sure the following requirements are met: 

• The domain you want to add is already registered 
• You own the domain name  
• Your hosting plan allows additional domains  

 
To create a new domain in cPanel, follow these steps: 

1. Log in to cPanel.  
2. Go to the Domains section and click on Domains.  
3. Click Create A New Domain. A new interface will open. 
4. In the Domain field, enter the domain name that you want to add. 
5. Keep the Share document root checkbox Unchecked if you are adding an addon domain or subdomain. Check the box if you are adding an Alias domain. 
   NOTE. A directory name will be automatically generated based on the domain you entered. It is recommended to keep the default directory name so you can easily identify your website folders in the File Manager.
6. Click Submit.