How to Add and Manage Domains and Subdomains in cPanel

A complete guide to adding addon domains, creating subdomains, and organizing your website structure efficiently.

Why Managing Domains and Subdomains Matters

If you run multiple websites or want to organize your content with subdomains, cPanel makes managing domains easy. You can host several websites under one hosting account by adding addon domains, or create subdomains to divide your site into logical sections like blog.yourdomain.com or shop.yourdomain.com.

This guide walks you through the steps to add addon domains, create subdomains, and assign them to specific folders on your server.

✅ Understanding Key Terms

• Addon Domain: A completely separate website hosted within your existing cPanel account, with its own domain name and content.

• Subdomain: A subsection of your main domain used to organize your website into different areas (e.g., blog.yourdomain.com).

• Document Root: The specific folder on your server where the domain or subdomain’s files are stored.

🛠️ Step 1: Adding an Addon Domain in cPanel

1. Log in to cPanel:
   Visit https://yourdomain.com/cpanel and enter your credentials.

2. Find the Addon Domains Tool:
   In the Domains section, click Addon Domains.

3. Add Your Domain:

   • Enter the New Domain Name (e.g., example2.com).

   • The Subdomain and Document Root fields will auto-fill but you can customize them.

     • The document root is where the files for this domain will be stored, typically /public_html/example2.com.

4. Create the Addon Domain:
   Click Add Domain.

5. Update DNS Settings:
   Ensure the domain’s nameservers point to your hosting provider to activate the website.

🛠️ Step 2: Creating a Subdomain in cPanel

1. Go to Subdomains:
   In cPanel under Domains, click Subdomains.

2. Create Your Subdomain:

   • Enter the prefix you want (e.g., blog).

   • Choose the main domain from the dropdown.

   • The Document Root will auto-fill; you can modify it if needed.

3. Click Create:
   Your subdomain is now set up and ready to host content.

🛠️ Step 3: Managing Domains and Subdomains

• Uploading Content:
  Upload your website files to the document root folder assigned to the addon domain or subdomain using File Manager or FTP.

• Redirecting Domains/Subdomains:
  Use the Redirects tool in cPanel if you want to forward domains or subdomains to other URLs.

• Deleting Domains:
  If you no longer need an addon domain or subdomain, you can remove it from the respective cPanel sections, but remember to back up your files first.

📌 Tips for Domain Management

• Check DNS Propagation: After adding a new domain or subdomain, DNS changes may take up to 48 hours to propagate.

• Use SSL Certificates: Secure all your domains and subdomains by installing SSL certificates via SSL/TLS in cPanel.

• Organize Files Clearly: Keep each domain or subdomain’s files in its dedicated folder to avoid confusion.

• Monitor Usage: Multiple domains can consume more bandwidth and disk space; keep an eye on your hosting limits.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Can I add unlimited addon domains?
A: It depends on your hosting plan. Check your provider’s limits.

Q: How do I point my domain to cPanel hosting?
A: Update the domain’s nameservers to those provided by your host.

Q: Can I password protect a subdomain?
A: Yes, use the Directory Privacy tool in cPanel.

🤝 Need Assistance with Domains?

For Hiverift customers, expert support is available anytime:

• Visit https://hiverift.com

• Contact support via live chat or ticket system for help

🚀 Conclusion

Adding and managing domains and subdomains in cPanel is straightforward with these easy steps. Whether you’re hosting multiple websites or organizing your main site’s sections, mastering domain management enhances your web presence and control.