How to add an additional domain in cPanel

cPanel Domains lets you add another domain to your shared hosting account so you can publish a separate site. Use it when you already registered the domain and want it to load content from its own folder inside the same account.

Before you upload files, confirm the domain folder and DNS status. If the domain still points to another provider, cPanel can create the local entry, but the site will not load from your hosting until DNS points correctly.

Before you start

• Have access to cPanel for the account where you want to host the domain.
• Confirm that the plan allows additional domains.
• Have the full domain ready, for example example.com.
• Check whether the domain already points to your hosting nameservers or DNS records.

Add the domain in cPanel

1. Log in to cPanel.
2. Open the Domains section.
3. Click Create A New Domain.

4. Type the full domain in Domain, without http:// or https://, for example example.com.
5. If you want the domain to have a separate site, turn off Share document root before saving.
6. Review Document Root (File System Location) and click Submit.

After saving, cPanel creates the domain entry inside the account. In recent versions, the Domains tool replaces older screens called Addon Domains.

Check the document root

1. Review the Document Root (File System Location) field before confirming the setup.
2. Use a clear folder, for example example.com or public_html/example.com, depending on how you organize your sites.
3. Avoid selecting public_html if the domain should have content independent from the main site.
4. After creating the domain, open File Manager and confirm that the folder exists.

The document root is the folder from which cPanel serves the site. If you upload files to another path, the domain may show a blank page, the wrong content, or a 404 error.

Point DNS and enable SSL

1. If you manage DNS in your hosting account, confirm that the domain uses the nameservers assigned to your service.
2. If DNS is managed at another provider, create or update the domain A record to the IP address of your hosting.
3. Wait for DNS propagation before making final tests; it can take from minutes to several hours.
4. When the domain resolves to the correct server, open SSL/TLS Status and run AutoSSL if the certificate is not active.

Do not change MX, SPF, or DKIM if another provider manages email for the domain. For a website change, you usually only need to point the site, not necessarily move email.

Verify that the domain loads

• The domain appears in Domains inside cPanel.
• The document root shows the folder you chose for that site.
• The domain resolves to the correct hosting IP address.
• The site opens in a browser with HTTPS when AutoSSL finishes.

Common errors

• The domain shows the main site: the share document root option stayed enabled or someone chose public_html by mistake.
• The browser shows a page from another provider: DNS still points outside your hosting or propagation has not finished.
• AutoSSL does not issue the certificate: the domain does not resolve to the correct server or has a temporary validation block.
• Email stops working after the change: someone changed MX or TXT records that belonged to the email provider.
• cPanel says you reached the maximum number of domains: your plan does not allow more additional domains or the account has reached its limit; contact support before continuing.

Recommended reading

• Edit DNS in cPanel Zone Editor
• Check and force SSL in cPanel
• Use File Manager in cPanel