Using Plesk to Manage Multiple Domains and Subdomains Efficiently

Using Plesk to Manage Multiple Domains and Subdomains Efficiently

Introduction

Plesk is a powerful web hosting control panel that allows you to manage multiple domains and subdomains from a single dashboard. Whether you’re managing websites for different projects, clients, or business branches, Plesk streamlines domain management with an intuitive interface and robust features.

Prerequisites

• Access to your Plesk control panel
• Registered domain names pointed to your server
• Basic knowledge of domain and DNS management

Step 1: Adding Multiple Domains to Plesk

1. Log in to your Plesk dashboard.
2. Go to Websites & Domains.
3. Click on Add Domain.
4. Enter the domain name you want to add (e.g., example.com).
5. Configure hosting type and document root as needed.
6. Click OK to add the domain.

Step 2: Creating and Managing Subdomains

1. Within the Websites & Domains section, click Add Subdomain.
2. Enter the subdomain name (e.g., blog.example.com).
3. Choose the parent domain from the dropdown.
4. Set the document root directory for the subdomain.
5. Click OK to create the subdomain.

Step 3: Organizing Domains and Subdomains

Plesk allows you to:

• Manage DNS settings individually for each domain or subdomain.
• Assign different SSL certificates per domain or subdomain.
• Configure email accounts separately for each domain or subdomain.
• Set unique FTP accounts and permissions per domain or subdomain.

Step 4: Configuring Domain Redirects and Aliases

To create domain aliases or redirects:

1. Select the domain in Websites & Domains.
2. Click on Domain Aliases.
3. Click Add Domain Alias and enter the alias domain.
4. Choose options like “Redirect with the HTTP 301 code” or “Synchronize DNS zones.”
5. Click OK to save.

Step 5: Using DNS Settings Effectively

Plesk provides an easy interface to manage DNS records:

• Add A, CNAME, MX, TXT, and other record types for each domain.
• Customize subdomain records separately.
• Integrate with external DNS providers if necessary.

Best Practices for Managing Multiple Domains

• Keep your domain list organized by grouping projects or clients.
• Use descriptive document roots to avoid confusion.
• Regularly update SSL certificates for each domain.
• Back up your Plesk configurations and website data periodically.

Troubleshooting

• Domain Not Resolving: Check DNS settings and ensure domain is pointed to your server’s IP.
• Subdomain 404 Error: Verify document root and hosting settings.
• SSL Issues: Assign correct SSL certificates per domain/subdomain in Plesk.

Additional Resources

• Plesk Websites & Domains Documentation
• Managing Domain Aliases in Plesk

Need Help?

Contact your hosting provider or Plesk support for personalized assistance managing multiple domains and subdomains.